y^efjr.^ 


■'^^     United  Brethren  in  Christ 
Women's  Missionary 
Association 


tihxary  of  t:he  tlreolocjfical  ^tminaxy 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 
PRESENTED  BY 

Rufus  H.    LeFevre 


Comtiiuiion  anb 


LITERATURE  DEPARTMENT 

WOMEN'S  MISSIONARY  ASSOCIATION 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST 

406-408  Otterbein  Press  Bldg..  Dayton,  Ohio 

1917 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2009  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Tiieological  Seminary  Library 


littp://www.arcliive.org/details/constitutionhandbOOunit 


Section  I. 

General  Constitution 


Article  I. 
Name. 

The  Association  shall  be  known  as  the  "Women's  Missionary 
Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  according  to 
the  Articles  of  Incorporation  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 
Its  general  offices  shall  be  located  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Article  IL 
Object. 

The  Association  is  for  the  purpose  of  enlisting  and  uniting 
the  efforts  of  the  women,  the  young  women  and  the  children  of 
the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  to  help  send  and 
support  missionaries  in  the  home  and  foreign  fields ;_  to  assistin 
carrying  forward  the  work  in  said  fields;  and  to  secure  by  gift, 
bequest,  and  otherwise,  the  funds  necessary  to  aid  in  such  mission- 
ary operations.  . 

It  shall  disseminate  literature  and  information  concerning  the 
needs  of  the  mission  fields  where  operating,  and  conduct  any  and 
all  other  work  that  usually  belongs  to  such  an  organization. 

It  shall  be  empowered  by  its  articles  of  incorporation  to  receive 
by  gift,  bequest,  or  purchase,  real  and  personal  property,  _  and  to 
hold  the  same  for  the  uses  and  purposes  of  said  Association,  the 
same  as  any  other  corporations  of  like  character. 

Article  III. 
Relation  to  the  Cliarch. 

This  Association  shall  work  under  the  direction  of  the  General 
Conference  of  said  Church,  to  which  the  general  secretary  shall 


submit  quadrennial  reports.  It  shall  also  work  in  co-operation 
with  the  Home  Missionary  Society  and  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  upon  whose  boards  and 
executive  committees   it  shall  have   one-third   representation. 

Article  IV. 
Membership. 

1.  The  annual  dues  for  membership  in  said  Association  shall 
be  in  accord  with  the  membership  dues  of  the  various  departments. 

2.  The  payment  of  $10  at  one  time  or  by  installments  within 
five  years  shall  constitute  a  life  membership.* 

The  payment  of  $25  at  one  time  or  by  installments  within  five 
years  shall  constitute  a  life  directorship.* 

The  payment  of  $100  at  one  time  or  by  installments  within  five 
five  years  shall  constitute  a  life  membership.* 

*[A  certificate  shall  be  given  at  the  time  of  payment  in  full, 
but  this  certificate  shall  not  exempt  from  annual  dues.] 

2.  Life  patrons  shall  be  full  members  of  the  Board  of  Mana- 
gers. Life  directors  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the  same.  Life 
patrons  and  life  directors  shall  be  full  members  and  life  membei*s 
shall  be  advisory  members  of  the  branch  within  whose  bounds  they 
reside.  These  privileges  are  accorded  only  to  those  who  pay  an- 
nual dues. 

Article  V, 

Organization. 

This  organization  shall  consist  of  a  Board  of  Managers,  con- 
ference branches,  local  societies  and  chapters  nf  the  Otterbein 
Guild. 

Article  VI. 
Board  of  Managers. 

The  Board  of  Managers  shall  consist  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
the  editor  of  the  Evangel,  the  life  patrons,  the  secretary  of  the 
Otterbein  guild,  the  secretary  of  literature,  the  secretary  of  thank- 
offering,  and  three  delegates  from  each  branch,  who  shall  be 
elected  at  the  branch  meeting  preceding  the  meeting  of  the  Board 
of  Managers,  and  the  branch  presidents  if  present. 


Article  VII. 
Duties  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 

The  Board  of  Managers  shall  meet  biennially.  It  shall  receive 
and  pass  upon  the  reports  of  the  general  secretary,  treasurer,  de- 
partment secretaries,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Evangel,  brandi 
organizations,  and  upon  the  reports  from  the  mission  fields.  It 
shall  elect  by  ballot  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  the 
secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  the  secretary  of  literature,  and 
the  secretary  of  thank-offering. 

Article  VIII. 
Board  of  Trustees. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  consist  of  nine  members  who  shall 
be  elected  at  the  biennial  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  six 
of  whom  and  no  more  shall  be  residents  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  or 
vicinity. 

Article  IX. 

Duties  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  so  elected  shall  assemble  before  the 
close  of  the  biennial  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers  and  organ- 
ize by  the  election  from  its  own  number  of  all  the  officers  provided 
for  in  Article  X. 

It  shall  choose  from  its  number  the  necessary  representation 
upon  the  boards  and  executive  committees  of  the  Home  and  the 
Foreign  Missionary  societies.  It  shall  also  elect  the  editor  of  the 
Evangel,  the  field  secretary  and  the  third  member  of  the  literature 
committee. 

In  the  interim  between  the  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Managers, 
the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  full  power  and  control  of  the 
general  interests  and  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  Associa- 
tion including  the  making  of  appropriations. 

All  legal  papers  of  the  Association  shall  be  executed  by  the 
president  and  the  general  secretary  of  the  Association,  provided 
that  the  president  lives  in  Dayton  or  vicinity,  otherwise  by  the 
resident  vice-president  and  the  general  secretary  who  shall  sign 
and  seal  all  such  papers,  including  deeds  of  transfer,  in  the  name 
and  on  behalf  of  the  Association. 


The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  the  authority  to  appoint  and 
empower  one  or  two  persons  to  act  for  the  Association  with  power 
of  attorney  when  occasion  may  arise  to  demand  s\ich  action. 

Article  X. 
Officers. 

The  officers  of  the  Association  shall  be  a  president,  three  vice- 
presidents,  a  general  secretary,  a  recording  secretar;y,  a  treasurer, 
and  a  chairman  of  the  resident  trustees  as  provided  in  Article  IX. 
The  offices  of  general  secretary  and  treasurer  may  be  held  by  one 
person. 

Article  XI. 

Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  the  biennial  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  and  shall  have  general  supervision  of  the 
work  of  the  Association. 

2.  The  vice-presidents  shall  co-operate  with  the  president  in 
carrying  forward  the  work  of  the  Association.  They  shall  preside 
in  the  absence  of  the  president  or  upon  rr'quest. 

3.  The  general  secretary  shall,  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  attend  to  all  the  business  connected  with  the 
Association,  secure  gifts  and  bequests,  keep  all  documents  per- 
taining to  the  Association  and  attend  to  correspondence. 

She  shall  submit  an  annual  report  to  the  Association  through 
the  Evangel,  an  annual  report  to  the  Home  and  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary societies,  a  biennial  report  to  the  Board  of  Managers, 
and  a  quadrennial  report  to  tlie  General  Conference.  She  shall 
have  the  power  to  call  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

4.  The  recording  secretary  shall  keep  the  minutes  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  biennial  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  and 
of  all  the  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  She  shall  submit  an 
annual  report  to  the  Association  through  the  Evangel  and  a  bien- 
nial report  to  the  Board  of  Managx>rs. 

5.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  coming  into  the  Wom- 
en's Missionary  Association  and  transmit  quarterly,  on  order  of 
the  trustees,  to  the  general  Church  treasurer  those  funds  which 
are  to  be  disbursed  for  work  in  the  mission  fields — on  order  of 
the  executive  conmiittces  of  the  Home  and  the  Foreign  Missionary 
societies. 


6.  The  administration  expenses  of  the  Association  shall  be 
under  the  control  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  said  expenses  to  be 
paid  by  the  treasurer  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association  on 
order  of  the  trustees. 

The  treasurer  shall  submit  quarterly  reports,  also  an  annual 
report  to  the  Association  through  the  Evangel,  an  annual  report 
to  the  Home  and  the  Foreign  Missionary  societies,  and  a  biennial 
report  to  the  Board  of  Managers.  She  shall  give  bond  and  her 
accounts  shall  be  audited  annually. 

She  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  Evangel  and  shall  pay  the 
expenses  of  the  same  on  order  of  the  trustees. 

She  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  literature  department  and 
shall  disburse  the  same  on  order  of  the  general  literature  com- 
mittee. 

Article  XII. 

Funds. 

All  gifts,  bequests,  and  fimds  contributed  to  any  special  object 
of  the  Association  shall  be  held  sacred  to  the  uses  and  purposes 
intended  by  the  donor. 

Article  XIII. 
Woman's  Day. 

By  the  action  of  General  Conference  and  the  Board  of  Mana- 
gers, the  last  Sunday  in  October  is  designated  as  Woman's  Day. 
A  public  program  may  be  given  and  an  offering  taken  which  shall 
be  forwarded  to  the  branch  treasurer  for  the  Woman's  Day  fund. 

Article  XIV. 
Department  of  the  Otterhein  Guild. 

1.  The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  enlist  the  young- 
women  in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead  them  to  personal  conse- 
cration, to  disseminate  missionary  knowledge,  and  to  raise  funds 
to  be  applied  to  any  work  undertaken  by  this  department,  under 
the  supervision  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association. 

2.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  secretary,  who  shall 
be  elected  by  the  Board  of  Managers. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  send  out  plans  and  suggestions  to 
branch  secretaries  of  the  Otterhein  Guild,  aid  in  developing  the 


work  in  the  branches,  and  conduct  the  department  of  the  Otter- 
bein  Guild  in  the  Evangel,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  editor. 
She  shall  make  quarterly  reports,  also  an  annual  report  to  the 
general  secretary.  She  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the  Asso- 
ciation through  the  Evangel  and  a  biennial  report  to  the  Board  of 
Managers. 

Article  XV. 

Department  of  Literature. 

1.  The  Evangel  shall  be  the  official  organ  of  the  Women's 
Missionary  Association.  Its  editor  shall  be  elected  by  the  Board 
of  Trustees. 

2.  The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  awaken  and 
inform  the  women,  the  young  women  and  the  children  of  the  Church 
on  the  subject  of  missions,  to  increase  the  circulation  of  the 
Evangel  and  to  encourage  the  use  of  missionary  literature,  mis- 
sionary leaflets  and  books  of  the  mission  study  course. 

3.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  secretary  who  shall 
be  elected  by  the  Board  of  Managers. 

4.  There  shall  also  be  a  general  literature  committee,  composed 
of  three  members — the  secretary  of  the  department,  the  editor  of  the 
Evangel,  and  a  third  member  elected  by  the  Board  of  Trustees — 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  pi-epare  and  publish  the  literature  of  the 
Association. 

5.  The  officers  of  this  department  shall  consist  of  the  depart- 
ment secretary  and  secretaries  of  literature  of  branches,  local 
societies,  and  chapters  of  Otterbein  Guild. 

6.  Through  the  secretary  this  committee  shall  send  out  plans 
and  suggestions  to  the  secretaries  of  literature  of  the  branches, 
assist  in  developing  the  work  in  the  branches,  submit  quarterly 
reports  and  an  annual  report  to  the  Association  through  the 
Evangel,  and  a  biennial  report  to  the  Board  of  Managers. 

7.  All  money  received  from  the  sale  of  literature  shall  be  re- 
tained by  the  general  literature  committee  for  the  maintenance  of 
the  work. 

Article  XVI. 

Thanh-offering  Department. 

1.  The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  emphasize  the 
devotional  and  educational  features  of  our  giving;  to  help  the 
women  to  give  systematically  and  as  an  act  of  worship. 


2.  The  head  of  this  department  shall  be  a  secretary  who  shall 
be  elected  by  the  Board  of  Managers. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  send  out  plans  and  suggestions  to  the 
branch  secretaries,  aid  in  developing  the  work  in  the  branches, 
and  conduct  the  thank-offering  department  in  the  Evangel,  subject 
to  the  approval  of  the  editor.  She  shall  make  an  annual  report 
to  the  Association  through  the  Evangel  and  a  biennial  report  to 
the  Board  of  Managers. 

Article  XVII. 

Department  of  Children's  Worlf. 

The  object  of  this  department  shall  be  to  educate  the  children 
in  missionary  work,  in  definite  prayer,  and  systematic  giving  for 
missions. 

This  work  shall  be  done  through  the  Junior  Christian  Endeavor 
Society  in  harmony  with  the  following  sections  from  the  Junior 
Constitution : 

1.  "Monthly  missionary  meetings  shall  be  held  at  which  time 
missionary  offerings  may  be  taken." 

2.  "The  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  Society  in  its  missionary 
activities  is  asked  to  co-operate  with  the  Women's  Missionary  Asso- 
ciation which  in  turn  may  assist  the  Junior  superintendent  in  culti- 
vating a  missionary  interest  among  the  Juniors  by  suggesting  mis- 
sionary literature  and  information." 

3.  "The  missionary  funds  raised  by  the  Junior  Christian  En- 
deavor societies  for  missionary  purposes  other  than  conference 
missionary  objects,  shall  be  sent  by  the  branch  Christian  Endeavor 
treasurer  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association 
at  Dayton,  Ohio." 

Section  II. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Conference  Branch. 

Article  I. 

Name. 

This  branch  shall  be  called  the Branch  of  the 

Women's  Missionary   Association  of  the   Church   of  the   United 
Brethren  in  Christ. 


Article  //. 
Ohject. 

The  object  of  the  branch  shall  be  to  enlist  the  women,   thd 
young  women,  and  the  children  within  the  bounds  of 


Conference  in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead  them  to  personal  con- 
secration, to  disseminate  missionary  knowledge,  and  to  raise  funds 
to  help  caiTy  forward  the  home  and  the  foreign  work  of  the  Wom- 
en's Missionary  Association. 

Article  III. 
Memhership. 

The  membership  of  the  branch  shall  consist  of  the  members  of 
the  Association  living  within  the  bounds  of  the  conference. 

Article  IV. 
Officers. 

The  officers  of  the  branch  shall  be  a  president,  two  vice-presi- 
dents, a  secretary,  a  treasui'er,  a  secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Guild, 
a  secretary  of  literature,  and  a  secretary  of  thank-offering.  The 
officers  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting. 

Article  V. 

Executive  Committee. 

The  officers  of  the  branch,  together  with  the  branch  superintend- 
ent of  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  (who  is  a  member  ex-officio) 
shall  constitute  the  executive  committee.  The  organizers  shall  be 
advisory  members.  The  executive  committee  shall  meet  after  the 
branch  convention  and  outline  definite  plans  for  the  year.  It 
shall  supervise  and  develop  the  work  within  the  bounds  of  the 
conference;  divide  the  conference  into  two  districts  over  which 
the  vice-presidents  shall  have  supervision;  seek  to  secure  the 
organization  of  local  societies  and  chapters  of  the  Otterbein  Guild 
in  the  churches  and  strengthen  those  already  existing. 

Article  VI. 
Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  the  annual  meeting  and  have 
general   supervision   of  all    the   work   of   the  branch.     She  shall 


endeavor  to  have  all  the  plans  adopted  by  the  branch  executive 
committee  carried  into  effect. 

2.  The  vice-presidents  shall  co-operate  with  and  aid  the  presi- 
dent in  every  possible  way  to  carry  out  the  plans  of  the  branch. 
They  shall  superintend  the  districts  into  which  the  branch  may 
be  divided,  shall  have  charge  of  the  membership  at  large,  and 
shall  assist  in  developing  and  strengthening  the  work.  They  shall 
preside  in  the  absence  of  the  president  or  upon  request. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
annual  meeting  and  of  the  executive  committee  meetings.  She 
shall  submit  quarterly  reports  to  the  general  secretary  which  shall 
reach  her  not  later  than  Jime  29,  September  29,  December  29,  and 
March  29,  -also  the  annual  report  not  later  than  March  29.  She 
shall  announce  all  the  branch  and  executive  committee  meetings 
and  present  an  animal  report  to  the  branch  convention. 

4-  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  branch  anrl 
transmit  the  same  except  the  branch  contingent,  to  the  general 
treasurer.  She  shall  suV^mit  quarterly  reports  to  the  general  treas- 
urer which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than  June  29,  September  29, 
December  29  and  March  29,  also  the  annual  report  not  later  than 
March  29,  when  the  books  of  the  general  treasurer  close.  She 
shall  pay  bills  of  the  branch  only  upon  vouchers  properly  certified 
by  the  president  and  secretary.  She  shall  give  bond  and  her  books 
shall  be  audited  annually.  She  shall  present  an  annual  report  to 
the  branch  convention. 

5.  The  secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Guild  shall,  in  harmony 
with  the  department  secretary,  endeavor  to  interest  the  young 
women  in  each  local  church  in  the  conference  in  missions,  and 
whenever  possible,  organize  a  chapter.  She  shall  submit  quarterly 
reports  to  the  department  secretary,  which  shall  reach  her  not 
later  than  June  29,  September  29,  December  29,  March  29,  also 
the  annual  report  not  later  than  March  29.  She  shall  present  an 
annual  report  to  the  branch  convention. 

6.  The  secretary  of  literature  shall,  during  the  year,  select  and 
recommend  missionary  literature  to  local  secretaries  of  literature, 
and  for  the  sales  table  at  the  branch  convention. 

She  shall  endeavor  to  secure  a  wider  reading  of  missionary 
literature,  especially  of  the  Evangel  and  missionary  leaflets.  She 
shall  encourage  the  use  of  the  books  of  the  mission  study  course. 
She  shall  submit  quarterly  reports  to  the  department  secretary 


which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than  June  29,  September  29,  Decem- 
ber 29,  March  29,  also  the  annual  report  not  later  than  March  29. 
She  shall  present  an  annual  report  to  the  branch  convention. 

7.  The  secretary  of  thank -offering  shall  in  harmony  with  the 
department  secretary,  endeavor  to  interest  the  women  and  girls  in 
each  local  society  and  chapter  in  the  branch  in  this  department. 
The  annual  report  shall  reach  the  department  secretary  not  later 
than  March  29.  She  shall  present  an  annual  report  to  the  branch 
convention. 

Article  VII. 
Meetings. 

The  branch  shaU  meet  annually  and  shall  consist  of  the  branch 
officers,  three  delegates  from  each  local  society,  two  delegates 
from  each  chapter  of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  the  life  patrons  and  life 
directors  residing  within  the  branch  and  paying  annual  dues. 
Life  members  shall  be  advisory  members.  It  shall  receive  and 
pass  upon  reports.  It  shall  transact  any  business  pertaining  to  its 
work. 

It  shall  elect  officers  and  three  delegates  to  the  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Managers,  one  of  whom  should  be  a  representative  of 
the  Otterbein  Guild  and  another  a  member  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee. 

Article  VIII. 
Contingent  Fund. 

The  expenses  of  the  branch  officers  to  the  executive  committee 
meetings,  its  delegates  to  the  biennial  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Managers,  and  all  other  expenses  of  the  branch  shall  be  provided 
for  by  a  contingent  fund  derived  from  the  societies  within  the 
branch  as  hereinafter  provided. 

Section  III. 
CONSTITUTION. 

Local  Society. 

Article  I. 

Name. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the  Local   Society, 

Branch  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association  of 


the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

10 


Article  II. 
Ohjed. 

The  object  of  this  local  society  shall  be  to  enlist  the  women  of 

the Church  in  the  cause  of  missions,  to  lead  them 

to  personal  consecration,  to  disseminate  missionary  knowledge, 
and  to  raise  funds  to  help  carry  forward  the  home  and  the  foreign 
work  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association. 

Article  III. 
Memhership. 

1.  Any  woman  or  girl  may  become  a  member  by  the  payment 
of  ten  cents  per  month,  the  yearly  total  to  be  divided  as  follows: 
$1.00  to  general  fund,  20  cents  to  branch  contingent. 

2.  The  society  shall  provide  for  all  expenses  connected  with 
the  work  of  the  society  through  a  local  contingent  fund. 

3.  Any  child  may  become  a  member  by  the  payment  of  five 
cents  a  month  and  shall  be  reported  on  the  list  of  associate  mem- 
bers. 

4.  The  payment  of  $10  at  one  time,  or  by  installments  within 
five  years  shall  constitute  a  life  membership.^ 

The  payment  of  $25  at  one  time  or  by  installments  within  five 
years  shall  constitute  a  life  directorship.* 

The  payment  of  $100  at  one  time,  or  by  installments  within 
five  years,  shall  constitute  a  life  patronship.* 

*[A  certificate  shall  be  given  at  the  time  of  payment  in  full, 
but  this  certificate  shall  not  exempt  from  annual  dues.] 

5.  Life  patrons  shall  be  full  members  of  the  Board  of  Mana- 
gers; life  directors  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the  same.  Life 
patrons  and  life  directors  shall  be  full  members,  and  life  members 
shall  be  advisory  members  of  the  branch  within  whose  bounds  they 
reside.  These  privileges  are  accorded  only  to  those  who  pay  annual 
dues. 

Article  IV. 

Oificers. 

The  officers  of  the  local  society  shall  consist  of  a  president,  a 
vice-president,  a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  secretary  of  literature,  a 
secretary  of  thank-ofl^ering,  and  two  or  more  collectors  who  shall 
be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting  in  March. 

11 


Article  V. 

Executive  Committee. 

The  officers  of  the  society  shall  constitute  the  executive  com- 
mittee whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  supervise  and  plan  the  work  of 
the  society.  They  shall  endeavor  to  interest  and  enlist  every 
woman  and  girl  in  the  church  in  the  work. 

Article  VI. 
Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  society 
and  supervise  its  general  interests.  She  shall  be  ex-officio  a  mem- 
ber of  every  standing  conmiittee  of  the  society,  and  present  in 
writing  a  report  of  the  work  to  each  quarterly  conference. 

2.  The  vice-president  shall  co-operate  with  and  aid  the  presi- 
dent in  every  possible  way  to  carry  out  the  plans  of  the  society. 
She  shall  preside  in  the  absence  of  the  president  or  upon  request. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings  of  each 
meeting  and  the  meetings  of  the  executive  committee.  She  shall 
keep  a  record  of  the  names  of  the  members,  also  a  separate  record 
of  the  names  of  the  life  members,  life  directors  and  life  patrons. 
She  shall  send  quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  secretary  which 
shall  reach  her  not  later  than  June  20,  September  20,  December 
20,  and  March  20;  also  the  annual  report  not  later  than  March 
20.  She  shall  present  a  report  in  writing  to  the  local  society  at 
each  quarterly  business  meeting,  and  an  annual  report  at  the 
business  meeting  in  March. 

4.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  society  and 
transmit  the  same,  except  the  local  contingent,  to  the  branch 
treasurer.  She  shall  submit  quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  treas- 
urer which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than  June  20,  September  20, 
December  20,  March  20,  also  the  annual  report  not  later  than 
March  20,  when  the  books  of  the  branch  treasurer  close.  She  shall 
present  a  report  in  writing  to  the  local  society  at  each  quarterly 
business  meeting,  also  an  annual  report  at  the  business  meeting  in 
March.  She  shall  present  in  writing  a  report  to  each  quarterly 
conference.     Her  books  shall  be  audited  annually. 

5.  The  secretary  of  literature  shall  seek  to  create  and  foster 
an  interest  in  missions  by  means  of  missionary  literature,  pictures, 
etc.  She  shall  select  and  purchase  missionary  literature  during 
the  year,  secure  the  largest  number  of  subscriptions  possible  -to 

12 


the  Evangel,   urge   tlie  use   of  a   mission   study   course  and   be  a 
member  of  the  program  committee. 

She  shall  send  quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  secretary  of 
literature  which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than  June  20,  September 
20,  December  20,  March  20,  also  the  annual  report  not  later  than 
March  20.  She  shall  present  a  report  in  writing  to  the  local  society 
at  each  quarterly  business  meeting  and  an  annual  report  at  the 
business  meeting  in  March. 

6.  The  secretary  of  thank-offering  shall  endeavor  to  carry  out 
in  the  local  society  the  plans  suggested  for  this  department.  She 
shall  urge  the  use  of  the  thank-offering  boxes.  She  shall  send  an 
annual  report  to  the  thank-offering  secretary  of  the  branch  which 
shall  reach  her  not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall  present  a  report 
in  writing  to  the  local  society  at  each  quarterly  business  meeting 
and  an  annual  report  at  the  business  meeting  in  March. 

7.  The  collectors  shall  visit  the  women  of  the  church,  solicit 
members,  collect  monthly  dues,  also  special  funds.  They  shall  work 
under  the  direction  of  the  treasurer,  and  shall  pay  all  moneys  to 
the  treasurer  before  each  quarterly  business  meeting.  They  shall 
present  a   report   in   writing  at  each  quarterly  business  meeting. 

Article  VII. 
Meeti7igs. 

The  local  society  shall  hold  meetings  once  a  month.  The 
quarterly  business  meetings  shall  be  held  in  June,  September,  De- 
cember, and  March,  at  which  time  the  reports  of  officers  shall  be 
heard  and  the  business  of  the  society  transacted.  Necessary  items 
of  business  may  be -transacted  at  any  meeting. 

The  annual  meeting  shall  be  in  March,  at  which  time  the 
officers,  also  three  delegates  and  three  alternates  to  the  branch  con- 
vention shall  be  elected  by  ballot. 

Section  IV. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Chapter  of  the  Otterbein  Guild. 
Article  I. 

Name. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the Chapter  of  the  Otter- 
bein Guild  of Church Branch  of  the  Wom- 
en's Missionary  Association  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ. 

13 


Article  II. 
Object. 

The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  enlist  young  women  in  the 
caiise  of  missions,  to  lead  them  to  personal  consecration,  to  dis- 
seminate missionary  knowledge,  and  to  raise  funds  to  be  applied 
to  any  work  undertaken  by  this  department  of  the  Women's  Mis- 
sionary Association.  .  ^^^ 

Article  III. 

MemhersMp. 

1.  Any  young  unmarried  woman  may  become  a  member  by 
the  payment  of  six  cents  per  month,  the  annual  total  to  be  divided 
as  follows:   60  cents  to  general  fund,  12  cents  to  branch  contingent. 

2.  The  chapter  shall  provide  for  all  expenses  connected  with 
the  work  of  the  chapter  through  a  local  contingent  fund. 

3.  All  members  are  invited  to  sign  the  covenant. 

4.  The  payment  of  $10  at  one  time  or  by  installments  within 
five  years  shall  constitute  a  life  membership.* 

The  payment  of  $25  at  one  time  or  by  installments  within  five 
years  shall  constitute  a  life  directorship.* 

The  payment  of  $100  at  one  time  or  by  installments  within  five 
years  shall  constitute  a  life  patronship.* 

*[A  certificate  shall  be  given  at  the  time  of  the  payment  in 
full,  but  this  certificate  shall  not  exempt  from  annual  dues.] 

5.  Life  patrons  shall  be  full  members  of  the  Board  of  Mana- 
gers; life  directors  shall  be  advisory  .members  of  the  same.  Life 
patrons  and  life  directors  shall  be  fidl  members  and  life  members 
shall  be  advisory  members  of  the  branch  within  whose  bounds  they 
reside.  These  privileges  are  accorded  only  to  those  who  pay  an- 
nual dues.  .  ^^^ 

Article  IV. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  president,  a  vice-president, 
a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  secretary  of  literature,  a  secretary  of 
thank-offering,  and  two  or  more  collectors,  who  shall  be  elected 
by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting  in  March. 

Article  V. 

A  patroness  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting. 
She  shall  be  a  member  of  the  local  society  if  one  exists,  otherwise 
any  missionary  leader,  and  shall  be  an  advisory  member  of  the 
executive  committee  of  the  chapter. 

14 


Article  VI. 

Executive  Committee. 

The  officers  of  the  chapter  including  the  patroness  shall  con- 
stitute the  executive  committee  whose  duty  it  shall  be  .to  supervise 
and  plan  the  work  of  the  chapter.  They  shall  endeavor  to  interest 
and  enlist  all  the  girls  and  young  women  in  the  church  in  the 
work.    The  president  shall  be  chairijian  of  this  committee. 

Article  VII. 
Duties  of  Officers. 

1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  chapter 
and  supervise  its  general  interests.  She  shall  be  ex-officio  a  mem- 
ber of  all  standing  committees  of  the  chapter  and  shall  present 
in  writing  a  report  to  each  quarterly  conference. 

2.  The  vice-president  shall  co-operate  with  and  aid  the  presi- 
dent in  every  possible  way  to  carry  out  the  plans  of  the  chapter. 
She  shall  be  a  member  of  the  program  committee  and  shall  preside 
in  the  absence  of  the  president  or  upon  request. 

3.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings  of  each 
meeting  and  the  meetings  of  the  executive  committee.  She  shall 
keep  a  record  of  the  names  of  the  life  members,  life  directors, 
life  patrons.  She  shall  send  quarterly  reports  to  the  branch 
secretary  of  Otterbein  Guild,  which  shall  reach  hefr  not  later  than 
June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  and  March  20,  also  the  an- 
nual report  not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall  present  a  report 
in  writing  to  the  chapter  at  each  quarterly  business  meeting  and 
an  annual  report  at  the  business  meeting  in  March. 

4.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  chapter  and 
transmit  the  same  except  the  local  contingent  to  tlT>e  branch  treas- 
urer. She  shall  submit  quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  treasurer 
which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than  June  20,  September  20.  De- 
cember 20,  March  20,  also  the  annual  report  not  later  than  March 
20,  when  the  books  of  the  branch  treasurer  shall  close.  She  shall 
present  a  report  in  writing  to  the  chapter  at  each  quarterly  busi- 
ness meeting,  also  an  annual  report  at  the  business  meeting  in 
March.  She  shall  present  in  writing  a  report  to  each  quarterly 
conference.     Her  books  shall  be  audited  annually. 

5.  The  secretary  of  literature  shall  seek  to  create  and  foster 
an  interest  in  missions  by  means  of  missionary  literature,  pictures, 
etc.     She  shall  select  and  purchase  missionary  literature  during 


the  year,  secure  the  largest  number  of  subscriptions  possible  to 
the  Evangel,  urge  the  use  of  the  Bible  and  mission  study  courses, 
and  be  a  member  of  the  program  committee. 

She  shall  send  quarterly  reports,  also  an  annual  report  to  the 
branch  secretary  of  literature  which  shall  reach  her  not  later  than 
June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  March  20,  also  the  annual 
report  not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall  present  a  report  in 
writing  to  the  chapter  at  each. quarterly  business  meeting  and  an 
annual  report  at  the  business  meeting  in  March. 

6.  The  secretary  of  thank-offering  shall  endeavor  to  carry  out 
in  the  chapter  the  plans  suggested  for  this  department.  She  shall 
urge  the  use  of  the  thank-offering  boxes.  She  shall  send  an  annual 
report  to  the  thank-offering  secretary  of  the  branch  which  shall 
reach  her  not  later  than  March  20.  She  shall  present  a  report  in 
writing  to  the  chapter  at  each  quarterly  business  meeting  and  an 
annual  report  at  the  business  meeting  in  March. 

7.  The  collectors  shall  visit  the  girls  and  young  women  of  the 
church,  solicit  members,  collect  monthly  dues,  also  special  funds. 
They  shall  work  under  the  direction  of  the  treasurer  and  shall 
pay  all  moneys  to  the  treasurer  before  each  quarterly  business 
meeting.  They  shall  present  a  report  in  writing  at  each  quarterly 
business  meeting. 

Article  VIII. 

Meetings. 

The  chapter  shall  hold  a  regular  meeting  once  a  month.  The 
quarterly  business  meetings  shall  be  held  in  June,  September,  De- 
cember and  March,  at  which  time  the  reports  of  the  officers  shall 
be  heard  and  the  business  of  the  society  transacted.  Necessary 
items  of  business  may  be  transacted  at  any  meeting. 

The  annual  meeting  shall  be  held  in  March  at  which  time 
the  officers,  also  two  delegates  and  two  alternates  to  the  branch 
convention  shall  be  elected  by  ballot. 


16 


Hand  Book 


The  Women's  Missionary  Association  is  the  national  mission- 
ary organization  of  the  women  and  girls  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ.  It  was  organized  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 
October  22,  1875.  The  headquarters  of  the  Association  are  in 
Dayton,  Ohio,  406-408  Otterbein  Press  Building. 

By  the  terms  of  the  constitution,  the  Association  is  under  the 
direction  of  the  General  Conference,  and  submits  quadrennial 
reports  to  that  body.  Since  the  General  Conference  in  1909,  it 
works  in  co-operation  with  the  Home  Missionary  Society  and  the 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  Church.  It  is  represented  by 
one-third  of  the  members  of  these  Boards  and  their  executive  com- 
mittees. These  representatives  are  chosen  from  and  by  the  trustees 
of  the  Association. 

National  Orgaxizatiox. 

The  organization  includes  a  Board  of  Managers,  a  Board  of 
Trustees,  Annual  Conference  Branch  Organizations,  local  societies, 
and  chapters  of  the  Otterbein  Guild. 

The  Board  of  Managers. 

The  Board  of  Managers  consists  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
the  editor  of  the  Evangel,  the  secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Guild, 
secretary  of  literature,  the  field  secretary,  the  secretary  of  thank- 
offering,  life  patrons,  the  presidents  of  conference  branches  if  pres- 
ent, and  three  delegates  from  each  branch. 

The  Board  meets  biennially.  It  receives  and  passes  upon  the 
biennial  reports  of  the  general  officers,  the  branch  organizations, 
and  the  mission  fields,  decides  upon  new  plans  of  work,  and  makes 
appropriations  to  the  mission  fields.  It  elects  a  board  of  nine 
trustees,  the  secretary  of  Otterbein  Guild,  the  secretary  of  litera- 
ture and  secretary  of  thank-offering. 

The  Board  has  the  following  salaried  officers:  the  general 
secretary  and  treasurer  (these  offices  are  usually  held  by  one  per- 
son), the  secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  and  the  field  secretary. 


who  givQ  their  entire  time  to  the  work.     The  salary  of  tlie  editor 
of  the  Evangel  is  provided  from  the  proceeds  of  the  Evangel. 

Board  of   Trustees, 

The  Board  of  Trustees  consists  of  nine  members,  six  of  whom 
live  in  or  near  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  form  the  executive  committee. 
(See  General  Constitution,  Article  IX.) 

The  Otterbein  Guild. 

The  Otterbein  Guild  is  the  young  women's  department  of  the 
Women's  Missionary  Association,  The  first  constitution  for  this 
department  was  adopted  in  1883.  A  number  of  societies  were 
organized  and  in  1908  it  was  constituted  a  distinct  department  and 
a  secretary  was  elected.  It  was  known  as  the  Young  Women's 
Department  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Association  until  1913 
when  the  name  was  changed  to  Otterbein  Guild  of  the  Women's 
Missionary  Association. 

(For  detailed  information  see  page  47.) 

The  Literature  Department. 

This  department  was  organized  in  1908.  Through  its  general 
literature  committee  it  provides  the  literature  for  the  association 
and  is  responsible  for  the  circulation  of  the  Evangel.  Catalogues 
of  literature  and  supplies  may  be  obtained  free  at  407  Otterbein- 
Press  Bldg.,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

(See  General  Constitution,  Article  XV.) 

The  Thank-offering  Department. 

This  department  was  organized  in  1915.  Its  name  expresses 
its  purpose  for  and  in  our  missionary  activity  and  life.  Its  object 
is  to  have  a  thank-oifering  box  used  by  every  woman  and  girl  in 
the  Women's  Missionary  Association.  The  boxes  may  be  obtained 
from  the  general  secretary,  407  Otterbein  Press  Bldg.,  at  five  cents 
per  dozen.     Send  money  with  order. 

The  Evangel 

The  official  magazine  of  the  Association  is  the  Evangel,  which 
is  published  monthly.  It  gives  interesting  news  and  accoimts  of 
the  work  being  done  in  our  six  mission  fields,  letters  from  the 
missionaries  of  the  Church,  together  with  plans  and  policies  of  the 


Board,  branches,  local  societies  and  chapters  of  the  Otterbein 
Guild.  It  is  the  one  medium  of  information  and  is  absolutely 
essential  to  every  society  and  member  that,  would  be  efficient.  It 
is  impossible  to  keep  in  touch  with  our  missionary  work  without 
being'  a  reader  of  the  Evangel.  It  is  attractively  illustrated,  pre- 
senting the  departments  of  missionary  work,  medical,  educational, 
industrial  and  evangelistic,  in  an  appealing  way. 

The  Evangel  is  the  only  missionary  paper  of  the  Church,  and 
therefore,  justly  claims  the  right  to  be  in  every  United  Brethren 
home. 

The  subscription  price  is  fifty  cents  per  year  with  one  premium 
subscription  for  every  ten  paid  subscriptions.  The  securing  of 
subscriptions  belongs  to  every  member  of  the  Association,  but  more 
particularly  to  the  local  secretaries  of  literature  upon  whom  the 
increasing  of  its  circulation  largely  depends.  Subscriptions  should 
be  sent  to  the  editor  of  the  Evangel,  407  Otterbein  Press  Building, 
Dayton,   Ohio. 

Branch  Organization. 

The  conference  branches  composed  of  the  missionary  societies 
within  the  bounds  of  the  conferences  are  in  close  touch  with 
the  Board  and  receive  from  it  general  policies  and  plans.  These 
policies  and  plans,  with  others  suggested  by  branch  officers,  should 
be  given  to  a  Plan  of  Work  committee  who  will  formulate  them 
and  present  them  to  the  branch  convention  to  be  passed  upon. 
These  plans  are  then  put  into  operation  in  the  local  societies  and 
chapters  in  the  branch,  thus  developing,  strengthening  and  unify- 
ing the  work. 

Each  branch  holds  an  annual  convention  which  is  composed  of 
three  delegates  from  each  local  society  and  two  delegates  from 
each  chapter  of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  life  patrons  and  life  directors. 
Life  patrons  and  life  directors  should  be  given  credentials  certi- 
fying that  their  annual  dues  have  been  paid.  It  receives  and  passes 
upon  reports,  plans  the  work  for  the  new  year,  decides  its  pledge 
to  the  Board  and  elects  the  delegates  to  the  biennial  meeting  of 
the  Board  of  Managers. 

(See  Branch  Constitution,  Art.  VII,  Section  II.) 

Executive  Committee. 

The  branch  executive  committee  should  meet  soon  after  the 
annual   branch   meeting,  outline  definite  plans   for   the  year  and 

19 


send  them  to  the  societies;  as  goals  to  be  reached.  It  eaii  du  much 
in  helping  to  arouse  and  to  maintain  an  earnest  missionary  spirit 
throughout  the  branch  and  growing  belief  in  the  power  of  prayer. 
Members  of  the  committee  should  make  the  officers  in  the  societies 
feel  that  they  have  a  personal  interest  in  them  and  their  work. 

The  constitution  provides  that  each  conference  shall  be  divided 
into  two  districts  which  shall  be  under  the  supervision  of  the  two 
branch  vice-presidents.  With  the  assistance  of  the  conference 
superintendent,  these  districts  may  be  sub-divided  into  groups 
and  a  woman  in  each  group  appointed  to  serve  as  group  leader. 

Each  member  of  the  committee  should  have  a  directory  of  the 
names  and  addresses  of  all  the  officers  of  each  local  society  and 
chapter  in  the  branch.  This  list,  corrected  each  year,  is  a  great 
help.  The  directory  should  contain  names  and  addresses  of  key 
women  and  girls  at  each  point  in  the  conference  where  there  is  no 
organization. 

HINTS  TO  BRANCH  OFFICERS. 

President  and  YicE-PREsmENxs. 

The  president  should  counsel  with  the  two  vice-presidents  and 
share  with  them  the  supervision  of  societies  and  churches.  The 
vice-presidents  should  be  responsible  for  bringing  the  societies  in 
their  districts  to  the  highest  efficiency.  They  should  be  respon- 
sible for  organizing  new  societies  and  they  also  have  charge  of  the 
m^embership  at  large. 

(See  page  44.) 

In  order  to  make  themselves  most  efficient,  the  president  and 
vice-presidents  should  be  fa.miliar  with  the  conditions  in  each 
local  society  and  chapter  in  the  branch,  their  membership,  growth 
and  interest  in  the  work.  The  officers  should  at  all  times  keep  in 
touch  through  correspondence  with  all  societies  in  the  branch  and 
if  possible  have  the  weaker  ones  visited  some  time  during  the 
year. 

The  branch  president  should  have  a  blank  book,  devoting 
several  pages  to  each  society.  The  names  and  addresses  of  officers 
may  be  entered,  the  time  of  meeting,  number  of  members,  and 
other  facts  about  the  society.  Details  may  be  added  during  the 
year.  Such  a  book  kept  from  year  to  year  and  passed  on  to  her 
successor  in  office  would  be  invaluable.  Through  the  copies  of  the 
quarterly  and  annual  reports  which  the  jiresident  receives  from  the 


l)riinch  soerotary,  tho  Otterbeiii  Guild  secretary,  the  secretary  of 
literature,  secretary  of  thank-offerino'  aud  the  treasurer,  she  will 
be  able  to  form  an  estimate  of  the  condition  of  each  society  and 
know  what  phases  of   its  work  need   strengthening. 

SfX'RETARY. 

The  secretary  should  record  the  minutes  of  the  branch  conven- 
tion and  the  executive  committee  meetings,  keep  an  accurate  list 
of  local  societies  and  their  officers,  with  addresses. 

She  should  send  out  the  quarterly  and  annual  report  blanks 
to  the  secretaries  of  local  societies.  The  reports  received  should 
be  kept  on  file  for  reference.  It  is  often  difficult  to  secure  the 
prompt  return  of  reports,  but  perseverance  and  a  liberal  use  of 
postal  cards  will  bring  results. 

She  shoidd  mail  her  quarterly  reports  in  time  for  them  to  reach 
the  general  secretary  not  later  than  June  29,  September  29,  Decem- 
ber 29,  March  29,  and  an  annual  report  not  later  than  March  29. 
A  copy  of  these  reports  should  be  sent  to  the  branch  president  and 
a  copy  kept  on  file  for  reference. 

A  comparison  of  these  reports  will  show  where  help  is  needed, 
will  give  an  opportunity  for  letters  to  individual  societies,  and 
will  make  the  work  more  effective. 

§he  should  secure  from  the  other  branch  officers  the  data  neces- 
sary for  checking  up  the  Standard  of  Excellence  for  each  local 
society  and  chapter. 

All  records  should  be  passed  on  to  her  successor  in  office. 

Treasurer. 

The  branch  treasurer  should  keep  all  accounts  in  an  orderly 
and  permanent  form  so  that  they  will  always  show  clearly  the 
condition  of  the  treasury. 

She  should  send  the  quarterly  and  annual  report  blanks  to  the 
treasurers  of  the  local  societies  and  the  chapters.  She  can  do  much 
toward  securing  regular  contributions  from  them.  When  funds 
are  received  after  the  regular  day,  they  should  be  held  until  the 
next  quarter.  Remember  the  ideal  is  not  reached  until  every 
treasurer  sends  funds  to  the  branch  treasurer  for  the  general  work 
and  branch  contingent,  quarterly,  and  sends  the  report  on  time; 
and  until  all  moneys  (except  branch  contingent  and  free  literature 
fund)  are  sent  in  dollars  only  and  no  cents,  and  so  reported  to  the 
general  treasurer. 


She  should  make  her  payments  to  the  general  treasurer  quar- 
terly so  that  they  will  reach  her  not  later  thau  June  29,  September 
29,  December  29,  March  29.  These  shoiild  be  accompanied  with  an 
itemized  report  of  the  societies  arranged  alphabetically  on  the 
blanks  provided.  An  annual  report  shoidd  be  sent  with  the 
quarterly  report  in  March. 

The  reports  of  the  chapters  of  the  Otterbein  Guild  and  of  the 
Junior  societies  should  be  on  separate  sheets.  Also  the  free  litera- 
ture fund  should  be  listed  on  a  separate  sheet  and  the  money  sent 
to  the  general  treasurer  in  a  separate  check  (small  amounts  may 
be  sent  in  stamps).  A  copy  of  these  reports  should  be  sent  to 
the  branch  president  and  another  to  the  branch  Otterbein  Guild 
secretary  and  a  copy  kept  on  file  for  reference. 

She  shoidd  pay  bills  only  on  order  of  the  president,  signed  by 
the  secretary;  and  her  books  should  be  audited  at  the  end  of  the 
year.     All  records  should  be  passed  on  to  her  successor  in  office. 

Secretary  of  Literature. 
(See  Branch  Constitution  Article  VI,  Section  VI.) 

The  branch  secretary  of  literature  should  keep  an  accurate  list 
of  local  societies  and  chapters  with  the  names  and  addresses  of 
the  secretaries  of  literature  to  whom  she  should  send  qiiarterly 
and  annual  report  blanks.  She  should  keep  a  worker's  outfit  (a)  a 
file  of  Evangels,  particularly  the  Literature  and  Board  Meeting 
numbers;  (b)  a  book  in  which  to  preserve  reports  of  the  litera- 
ture secretaries,  record  the  number  of  pieces  of  mail  (postals,  let- 
ters and  packages)  sent  out,  and  note  other  items  for  the  annual 
report;  (c)  a  file  of  all  letters,  important  for  reference,  (d)  leaflets, 
report  blanks,  etc. 

She  should  mail  her  qiiarterly  reports  in  time  for  them  to 
reach  the  department  secretary  of  literature  not  later  than  June 
29,  September  29,  December  29,  March  29.  A  copy  of  each  report 
should  be  sent  to  the  branch  president,  another  to  the  branch  secre- 
tary of  Otterbein  Guild  and  a  third  copy  kept  on  file  for  reference. 

At  the  branch  convention  she  should  arrange  for  and  have 
charge  of  the  sales  table,  which  should  be  in  a  conspicuous  place 
and  made  attractive  with  signs  and  posters.  Leaflets  classified 
and  prices  memorized  save  time  in  making  sales.  A  note  book 
and  pencil  should  be  at  hand  for  taking  literature  orders.  The 
sales  table  afi^ords  a  good  opportunity  to  learn   the  needs  of  the 


people  and  to  supply  those  needs.  She  should  have  a  few  minutes 
on  the  program  to  advertise  the  table  of  literature.  Describ- 
ing leaflets  often  helps  sales.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  have  on  the 
sales  table  a  special  leaflet  on  the  topic  most  discussed  on  the 
program.  A  conference  with  literature  secretaries  is  helpful. 
All  records  should  be  passed  on  to  her  successor  in  office. 

Secretary  of  Thank-Offering. 

While  this  department  is  primarily  a  means  of  spiritual  devel- 
opment, the  branch  secretary  of  thank-offering  should  be  syste- 
matic in  keeping  records  and  diligent  in  urging  each  local  society 
and  chapter  to  appoint  a  secretary  of  thank-offering.  She  should 
not  be  satisfied  until  every  thank-offering  secretary  reports  a  box 
used  in  every  home  and  a  thank-offering  meeting  observed  in  every 
local  society  and  chapter. 

She  should  send  the  annual  report  blanks  to  the  thank-offering 
secretaries  in  local  societies  and  chapters.  She  should  send  an 
annual  report  to  the  department  secretary  of  thank-offering  so 
that  it  reaches  her  not  later  than  March  29.  A  copy  of  this 
report  should  be  sent  to  the  branch  president,  another  to  the  branch 
Otterbein  Guild  secretary  and  a  third  kept  on  file  for  reference. 

Secretary  of  Otterbein  Guild. 

The  branch  secretary  of  Otterbein  Guild  has  direct  supervision 
of  the  chapters  in  her  branch.  If  at  all  possible,  she  should  visit 
each  chapter  once  during  the  year.  Any  evidence  of  lack  of  inter- 
est or  of  discouragement  should  be  reported  to  her  at  once  by 
the  secretary  of  the  chapter.  She  should  always  be  on  the  alert, 
watching  for  opportunities  to  organize  new  chapters  as  well  as  to 
strengthen  those  already  organized  and  make  every  possible  effort 
to  avoid  the  disbanding  of  a  chapter. 

She  should  send  the  quarterly  and  annual  report  blanks  to  the 
secretaries  of  the  chapters.  She  should  send"  to  the  department 
secretary  of  Otterbein  Guild  quarterly  reports  so  that  they  reach 
her  not  later  than  June  29,  September  29,  December  29,  March  29, 
and  an  annual  report  not  later  than  March  29.  A  copy  of  each 
report  should  be  sent  to  the  branch  president  and  a  third  kept  on 
file  for  reference. 

She  will  find  it  helpful  to  keep  a  record  of  all  churches  in  the 
conference  with  names  of  pastors  noting  those  churches  which 
have  Otterbein  Guilds,  also  where  there  is  a  possibility  of  organiz- 
es 


ing.     She  should  keep  a  list  of  key  girls  in  each  church  through 
whom  she  can  work  in  effecting  and  continuing  an  organization. 

HINTS  TO  OFFICERS  IN  LOCAL  SOCIETIES  AND 

CHAPTERS. 

President  and  Vice-President. 

The  president  has  general  supervision  of  the  work  of  the  so- 
ciety. The  model  president  does  not  do  all  the  work  herself,  but 
counsels  frequently  with  her  executive  committee,  dividing  with 
them  the  responsibility. 

If  the  society  is  very  large,  the  members  may  be  grouped  in 
four  or  more  divisions.  Each  division  then  is  responsible  for 
raising  its  part  of  the  special  funds.  It  is  almost  impossible  for 
a  president  or  executive  committee  to  keep  a  hundred  or  more 
women  actively  at  work.  If  this  plan  is  followed,  the  entire  society 
will  of  course  come  together  for  the  monthly  meetings,  but  each 
of  these  divisions  can  have  many  little  affairs  of  its  own  when.it 
would  be  impossible  to  have  a  meeting  of  the  entire  society. 

The  president  should  call  a  meeting  of  the  executive  committee 
very  soon  after  the  annual  business  meeting  in  March,  when  they 
appoint  the  program  committee,  divide  the  names  of  members 
among  the  collectors,  and  consider  plans  for  the  work  of  the  new 
year. 

The  president  will  iind  it  helpful  to  have  a  small  notebook, 
in  which  can  be  kept — 

(a)  The  names  and  addresses  of  the  members. 

(b)  The  names  and  addresses  of  all  women  in  the  church, 
adding  to  it  as  new  women  join.  Personal  invitations  or  notes 
sent  to  these  women  will  frequently  arouse  interest. 

(c)  Order  of  exercises  for  each  meeting. 

(d)  Personnel  of  committees  etc 

She  should  keep  for  ready  reference  a  coi)y  of  the  constitution, 
■■'"printed  programs,  handbook,  parliamentary  rules.  Standard  of 
Excellence,  letters  or  bulletins  from  branch  officers,  reports  of  th(^ 
secretary,  treasurer,  secretary  of  Otterbein  Guild,  secretary  of 
literature  and  secretary  of  thank-offering. 

The  president  is  a  member  ex-officio  of  all  committees. 

No  matter  at  what  time  of  the  year  the  society  was  organized, 
the  quarters  of  the  fiscal  year  of  the  branch  end,  so  far  as  reports 
and  money  are  concerned,  June  20,  September  20,  December  20, 
and  March  20. 

1!4 


The  president  is  responsible  for  having  the  officers  fill  out 
quarterly  reports  promptly  so  that  they  may  reach  the  branch 
officers  not  later  than  June  20,  September  20,  December  20,  March 
20. 

The  vice-president  should  preside  in  the  absence  of  the  presi- 
dent or  upon  request  and  may  serve  on  the  program  committee. 

*This  printed  program  for  the  year  may  be  obtained  from  the 
Literature  Department,  407  Otterbein  Press  Building,  Dayton. 
Ohio. 

B's  FOR  THE  President. 
J)e  on  time. 

lie  regular  in  attendance. 
Be  prepared. 
]ie  prayerful. 
Be  conseeratt'd. 
Be  tactful. 
Be  enthusiastic. 
Be  optimistic. 

Be  business-like  in  putting  questions,  accepting  reports,  etc. 
Be  willing  to  attempt  what  others  may  call  the  impossible. 
Be  careful  to  put  ten  women  to  work  rather  than  do  the  work  of 
ten  women. 

Secretary, 

The  secretary  should  keep  a  roll  of  the  members,  an  accurate 
record  of  each  meeting  of  the  society  and  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee. 

She  should  keep  a  separate  roll  of  paid  up  life  members,  life 
directors  and  life  patrons  and  report  to  the  branch  secretary  those 
who  are  paying  dues  as  "Active  Life  Members,  Active  Life  Direct- 
ors, or  Active  Life  Patrons,"  and  those  not  paying  annual  dues  as 
"Honorary  Life  Members,  Honorary  Life  Directors  or  Honorary 
Life  Patrons." 

She  should  attend  to  all  correspondence  promptly. 

She  shoidd  answer  accurately  every  question  on  the  quarterly 
and  annual  report  blanks. 

She  shoidd  send  the  quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  secretary 
in  time  to  have  them  reach  her  not  later  than  June  20,  September 
20,  December  20,  March  20  and  the  annual  report  with  the  quar- 
terly report  in  March.  She  should  keep  a  copy  of  each  report  for 
reference. 

25 


The  name  of  the  church  should  he  j;iv(Mi  without  fail  on  each 
report  for  there  may  be  more  than  one  church  in  the  city  or  on 
the  charge.     She  should  give  her  full  address  each  time. 

On  the  annual  report  she  should  give  the  names  and  addresses 
of  all  officers,  giving  street  and  number  when  needed. 

She  should  read  to  the  society  all  letters  that  have  been  received 
from  the  general  and  branch  officers. 

The  duties  of  the  secretary  of  a  chapter  are  the  same  as  those 
of  the  secretary  of  a  local  society  except  that  she  sends  all  reports 
to  the  branch  secretary  of  Otterbein  Guild. 

All  records  should  be  passed  on  to  her  successor  in  office. 

Treasurer. 

The  treasurer  should  keep  an  accurate  record  of  all  money 
received  and  disbursed  and  her  accounts  should  be  audited  an- 
nually. She  should  pay  bills  only  on  order  of  the  president,  signed 
by  the  secretary. 

A  written  report  should  be  given  to  the  society  at  each  quarterly 
business  meeting  of  all  money  received  and  disbursed. 

All  money  shovdd  be  paid  to  the  treasurer  at  least  a  day  before 
the  business  meeting,  so  that  she  may  have  time  to  prepare  her 
written  report. 

She  should  fill  out  the  blanks  furnished  her,  always  giving  the 
name  of  the  church  and  her  own  name  and  address  and  mail 
them  with  her  quarterly  payments  so  that  they  will  reach  the 
branch  treasurer  not  later  than  Jime  20,  September  20,  December 
20  and  March  20;  and  with  the  report  in  March  she  should  enclose 
the  annual  report.  The  dues  must  always  be  placed  in  the  general 
fund.  If  any  other  money  is  given,  the  treasurer  should  always 
indicate  in  her  report  for  what  field  and  special  work  it  is  intended. 
She  should  keep  a  copy  of  each  report  for  reference 

All  moneys  except  the  branch  contingent  and  the  free  literature 
fund  should  be  sent  to  the  branch  treasurer  in  dollars  only  and 
no  cents  in  order  that  the  society  and  branch  may  have  credit  on 
the  Standard  of  Excellence. 

If  no  receipt  is  received  within  a  week,  she  should  send  the 
branch  treasurer  a  card  or  letter  of  inquiry. 

Money  should  always  be  sent  by  draft,  check,  or  post-office 
money  order.  No  money  should  ever  be  sent  in  a  letter  unless  it 
is  registered. 


Eeceipts  should  all  be  kept  on  file.  They  may  be  pasted  with  a 
duplicate  copy  of  each  report  in  the  treasurer's  book. 

One-fourth  of  the  amount  due  from  the  society  for  the  branch 
contingent  fund  and  one-fourth  of  the  pledge  should  be  sent  each 
quarter  if  possible. 

The  treasurer  should  hold  the  life  membership,  life  director- 
ship and  life  patronship  notes,  crediting  each  payment  on  the  back 
of  the  note.  When  the  final  payment  is  made,  the  note  should  be 
given  as  a  receipt  in  full.  The  name  as  it  is  to  appear  on  the 
certificate  should  be  sent  to  the  general  secretary,  407  Otterbein 
Press  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  a  certificate  will  be  forwarded. 
All  life  meiiiberships,  life  directorships  and  life  patronships,  when 
paid  in  full,  should  be  reported  to  the  secretary  for  her  permanent 
record.  . 

All  records  should  be  passed  on  to  her  successor  m  oflice. 

The   Secretary  of  Literature. 

The  secretary  of  literature  should  consider  the  securing  of 
Evangel  subscriptions  as  most  important  among  her  duties.  She 
should  have  a  note  book  in  which  she  has  a  list  of  the  subscribers 
to  the  Evangel  and  the  dates  of  expiration.  She  should  also  keep 
a  list  of  all  the  other  women  and  girls  in  the  church  and  should 
try  frequently  to  interest  them  in  the  Evangel.  To  be  successful 
there  must  be  much  prayer  and  earnest  work.  She  should,  of 
course,  herself  be  an  Evangel  subscriber  and  should  keep  her 
Evangel  file  intact.  She  should  be  so  thoroughly  familiar  with 
the  Evangel  that  she  can  show  it  to  be  a  necessity  to  the  mis- 
sionary worker,  an  inspiration  to  a  Christian,  a  comfort  to  a 
mother,  entertainment  and  instruction  to  the  children, _  an  aid  to 
Junior  workers,  and  a  great  mine  of  information  and  inspiration 
to  every  one.  She  should  not  be  easily  discouraged.  She  shoiild 
send  to  the  editor,  407  Otterbein  Press  Bldg.,  for  sample  copies 
to  loan  or  for  free  distribution,  seeking  constantly  to  gam  new 
subscribers.  In  sending  renewals  which  if  possible  should  be 
sent  in  a  month  before  the  subscriptions  expire,  she  should  give 
the  same  name  and  initials  as  were  given  when  the  subscription 
was  sent  the  first  time.  If  a  subscription  is  sent  one  year  for 
Mrs.  Anna  Brown  and  the  next  year  for  Mrs.  John  Brown  those 
having  charge  of  the  mailing  list  at  the  office  will  not  know 
whether  it  should  be  entered  as  a  new  subscription  or  a  renewal. 


•27 


Indistinct  writing-,  incomplete  addresses,  and  lack  of  nniformit.y 
in  reporti]ig  names  are  responsible  for  many  delays  in  the  de- 
livery of  the  Evangel.  The  secretary  of  literature  should  report 
to  the  editor  at  once  when  any  subscriber  fails  to  receive  the 
paper  and  not  w^ait  until  several  months  have  elapsed.  A  thorough 
canvass  for  subscriptions  .should  be  made  at  least  once  a  year — 
during  the  last  two  weeks  in  October,  if  possible.  The  ideal  is 
not  reached  until  the  Evangel  is  in  the  hands  of  not  only  every 
member  of  the  missionary  society  but  in  every  United  Brethren 
home.  In  large  societies,  the  secretaries  of  literature  may  have 
from  one  to  five  or  more  assistants. 

She  can  also  obtain  free  a  copy  of  the  catalogue  of  literature 
and  supplies,  407  Otterbein  Press  Bldg.  From  local  contingent 
fund  or  some  other  source,  she  should  buy  leaflets  and  see  that 
they  are  systematically  distributed  and  read.  She  may  send  out 
leaflets  among  the  ladies  of  the  church  in  an  envelope  on  which 
is  written  a  list  of  names.  Each  one,  after  reading,  is  to  pass  it 
on  to  the  next.  The  leaflets  may  be  enclosed  in  another  envelope 
inside,  daintily  decorated,  or  they  may  be  tied  into  a  booklet  with 
a  lavender  or  purple  ribbon  or  coi'd.  In  estimating  the  pages  read 
by  members,  all  missionary  books  and  periodicals  are  included  as 
well  as  leaflets.  Frequently  a  contest  in  reading  is  stimulating. 
The  Literature  Department  of  the  Evangel  will  keep  the  secretary 
in  touch  with  the  latest  suggestions. 

She  should  send  quarterly  reports  to  the  branch  secretary  of 
literature  in  time  to  have  them  reach  her  not  later  than  June  20, 
September  20,  December  20,  March  20,  and  the  annual  report  not 
later  than  March  20.  She  should  keep  a  copy  of  each  report  for 
reference.  The  name  of  the  church  should  be  given  without  fail 
on  each  report,  for  there  may  be  more  than  one  church  in  the  city 
or  on  the  charge.  She  should  give  her  full  address  each  time. 
All  records  should  be  passed  on  to  her  successor  in  oflice. 

Thp:   Secretary   of   Tiiaxk-offering. 

The  secretary  of  thank-offering  should  have  a  list  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  society.  Names  should  be  written  on  the  boxes  and 
each  member  provided  with  a  box  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  in 
April.  Members  should  be  urged  to  note  their  blessings  great 
and  small  by  dropping  offerings  into  their  boxes.  New  members 
should  be  given  boxes  at  once. 


She  should  have  charge  of  the  thank-offering  meeting  in  Feb- 
ruary at  which  time  the  boxes  are  opened.  If  members  are  absent 
from  this  meeting,  they  should  be  visited  after  the  meeting  and 
the  boxes  collected  so  that  the  whole  amount  of  the  thank-offering 
may  be  turned  in  to  the  treasurer  before  the  March  business  meet- 
ing. The  treasurer  includes  this  with  her  fourth  quarterly  re- 
mittance to  the  branch  treasurer. 

She  should  send  an  annual  report  but  no  funds  to  the  branch 
thank-offering  secretary  in  time  to  have  it  reach  her  not  later 
than  March  20.  The  name  of  the  church  should  be  given  without 
fail  on  the  report,  for  there  may  be  more  than  one  church  in  the 
city  or  on  the  charge.  She  should  always  give  her  full  address. 
All  records  should  be  passed  on  to  her  successor  in  office. 

Thank-offering  boxes  may  be  secured  from  the  Literature  De- 
partment, 407  Otterbein  Press  Bldg.,  Dayton,  Ohio,  at  5  cents  per 
dozen,  and  not  from  the  branch  or  department  secretary  of  thank- 
offering. 

The  Collectors. 

Among  the  most  important  officers  of  a  local  missionary  so- 
ciety or  chapter  of  the  Otterbein  Guild  are  the  collectors.  They 
must  be  well  informed,  tactful,  spiritual ;  for  they  are  to  represent 
the  missionary  work  to  the  members  and  also  represent  the  state 
of  the  membership  to  the  society.  They  are  the  peacemakers, 
the  boosters,  the  reporters  (with  never  a  tinge  of  gossip)  of  the 
feelings  and  interest  or  lack  of  it,  on  the  part  of  the  individual. 
In  a  word  they  are  the  whole-year-round  campaigi^ers  for  the 
whole  society, 

They  are  elected  at  the  annual  business  meeting  in  March.  As 
a  rule  it  will  be  a  good  plan  to  have  one  collector  for  every  12  or 
15  members.  This  will  not  make  the  work  burdensome  for  a  few. 
Together  with  the  treasurer,  they  may  form  the  finance  committee 
of  the  society. 

The  society  should  furnish  them  with  carefully  selected  leaflets 
to  be  given  to  those  who  are  not  interested  in  missions.  They 
should  learn  whether  the  lack  of  interest  is  due  to  antagonism, 
indifference,  or  ignorance  and  then  fit  the  leaflet  to  the  individual 
case. 

They  should  be  furnished  with  blank  books  ruled  like  the 
treasurer's  book,  in  Avhich  they  record  each  quarter  all  money 
received.     They  should  prepare  itemized  reports  of  visits  made  and 

29 


money  collected  and  give  to  the  treasurer  at  least  the  day  before 
the  business  meeting-  so  that  she  may  have  time  to  prepare  her 
written  report.  They  should  keep  copies  of  the  reports  which 
should  be  read  at  the  quarterly  business  meeting. 

Hints  to  Committees. 

Committees  can  do  their  most  thorough  and  effective  work 
if  they  meef  regularly. 

ExfX'UTiVE  Committee. 

The  executive  committee  is  composed  of  all  the  officers  of  the 
society.  The  patroness  of  the  chapter  of  the  Otterbein  Guild  may 
be  an  advisory  member.  It  should  meet  regularly  to  confer  about 
the  work  of  the  society;  pray  about  it;  try  to  extend  its  influence 
and  enlarge  its  membership;  check  up  each  quarter  on  the  Stan- 
dard of  Excellence;  and  plan  how  to  strengthen  the  society  on 
the  points  it  has  failed  to  attain.  It  should  be  thoroughly  familiar 
with  the  constitution  and  handbook. 

The  executive  committee  may  appoint  all  the  standing  com- 
mittees of  the  society. 

If  an  extension  conunittee  has  not  been  appointed,  the  exe- 
cutive committee  should  have  charge  of  this  work  of  securing  new 
members  and  retaining  old  ones.  Remember  that  the  collectors  are 
in  a  position  to  supply  much  valuable  information  for  this  ex- 
tension work.  For  details  see  Membership  or  Extension  Com- 
mittee, below. 

Do  not  fear  a  multiplicity  of  committees,  provided  that  all 
members  can  thus  be  given  distinct  tasks,  taking  care  to  group 
the  women  so  that  they  may  work  together  congenially. 

Membership  Extension  Committee. 

This  committee  may  be  appointed  either  by  the  president  or  the 
executive  committee.  The  most  tactful,  the  most  friendly,  the 
best  informed,  the  most  spiritual  women  or  girls  in  the  society 
should  compose  it.  They  carry  on  a  campaign  the  year  round, 
for  securing  new  members  and  for  enlisting  women  and  girls 
who  are  only  nominal  members  in  the  active  Work  of  the  society. 
They  should  make  friendly  calls  upon  the  new  women  and  girls 
coming  into  the  church  and  see  to  it  that  they  are  made  to  feel 
at  home  and  are  invited  to  the  regular  meetings  of  the  society. 
It  would  be  profitable  after  each  meeting  to  divide  the  names  of 


the  absent  members  among  the  committee  who  should  call  npon 
them,  learn  in  a  kindly  way  the  reason  for  their  absence,  and 
make  them  feel  that  they  were  missed. 

Finance  Committee. 

The  finance  committee  may  be  composed  of  the  treasurer,  the 
collectors,  and  the  president,  the  latter  as  a  member  ex-officio. 
This  committee  should  outline  plans  early  in  the  year  for  meet- 
ing the  financial  pledge  of  the  society  in  full.  This  matter  should 
not  wait  until  the  last  quarter  of  the  year.  This  committee  should 
be  alert  in  securing  tithers  and  urging  proportionate  and  systematic 
giving. 

Program  Co:mmittee. 

This  very  important  committee  should  consist  of  three  members, 
the  vice-president,  perhaps  acting  as  chairman,  secretary  of  litera- 
tuae  (See  constitution  of  local  society  page  12)  and  a 
third  member  appointed  by  the  president.  This  committee  is  re- 
sponsible for  the  programs  for  the  missionary  meetings  and  should 
see  that  each  one  who  is  to  have  part  on  the  program  is  notified 
at  least  a  month  before  the  meeting  and  also  that  such  material, 
as  will  aid  her  in  preparing  her  part,  is  placed  in  her  hands.  Be 
definite  in  making  assignments.  Outline  the  points  to  be  empha- 
sized and  give  time  limit.  The  program  ought  never  to  be  crowded 
or  mixed  or  too  long.  If  so,  it  will  be  tiresome  and  confusing.  Good 
missionary  meetings  do  not  just  grow.  They  are  the  results  of 
hard  work  and  earnest,  intelligent,  prayerful  planning. 

The  suggestive  progTams  prepared  by  the  general  literature 
committee  may  be  obtained  from  the  Literature  Department,  407 
Otterbein  Press  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio.  In  any  case,  whatever 
programs  are  adopted  shoidd  be  prepared  in  advance  and  either 
printed,  typewritten  or  written  by  hand  and  a  copy  given  to  each 
member  of  the  society. 

In  the  monthly  meetings  a  large  use  should  be  made  of  current 
missionary  news  from  the  Evangel,  the  Watchword,  the  Religious 
Telescope,  and  other  periodicals  and  missionary  books.  The  pro- 
grams may  be  interspersed  with  missionary  stories  book  reviews, 
exercises,  map  drills,  etc.  These  maps  as  well  as  pictvires  of 
the  missionaries  may  be  obtained  from  the  Literature  Department, 
407  Otterbein  Press  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio.  Scarcely  any  other 
department  of  the  work  affords  such  a  wide  range  for  the  exercise 

31 


of  orifi'inality  and  inociuiity.  'I'lio  llmiie  Workers,  the  Literature, 
and  Otterbein  (luild  Departments  oi'  the  Evangel  i'urnish  valuable 
suggestions  to  this  conuiiittee. 

Members  of  the  program  eommittee  can  not  realize  too  keenly 
their  great  opportunity  for  contributions  to  the  interest  and  growth 
of  the  society.  Except  in  unusually  large  societies,  every  member 
should  have  a  place  on  the  program  at  least  once  during  the  year. 
Frequently  non-members  should  be  invited  to  furnish  a  number  of 
the  program,  as  a  means  of  interesting  them  in  the  work. 

The  February  meeting  is  the  annual  thank-offering  meeting, 
at  which  time  the  thank-offering  boxes  should  be  opened.  In  some 
societies  it  has  been  helpful  and  interesting  for  the  members  to 
give  their  experiences  and  recall  the  blessings  for  which  they  have 
been  thankfvil  during  the  year.  The  offering  should  be  forwarded 
by  the  local  treasurer  to  the  branch  treasurer  with  her  fourth  quar- 
terly report.  Special  leaflets  could  be  used  in  the  program  for  that 
day.  » 

The  meeting  in  October  should  be  observed  as  the  annual  Litera- 
ture Day,  setting  forth  the  need  of  good  missionary  literature  and 
inspiring  the  workers  for  the  campaign  for  Evangels  during  the 
remainder  of  the  month — October. 

How  observe  Literature  Day,  is  often  asked.  With  decorations 
of  autumn  leaves  and  Evangels,  addresses  or  papers  on  one  or  many 
lines  of  literature  work,  the  reading  of  a  missionary  story,  with  a 
sale  of  missionary  literature  and  taking  subscriptions  for  the 
Evangel,  the  day  is  made  to  emphasize  the  need  and  helpfulness 
of  our  missionary  literature.  Some  prefer  to  make  it  a  public 
day  in  the  chvirch  after  the  order  of  Woman's  Day.  Either  method 
is  good. 

Advertisement  Committee. 

This  committee  may  be  composed  of  two  members  and  should 
work  in  harmony  with  the  program  committee.  In  this  day  of 
various  meetings  of  many  organizations,  a  casual  announcement 
from  the  pulpit  on  Sunday  morning  is  not  sufficient.  Members  and 
non-members  need  to  be  constantly  reminded  of  the  time  and  place 
of  meeting,  and  urged  to  attend  either  by  a  personal  call,  by  an 
invitation  given  over  the  telephone,  by  means  of  a  card  or  note 
dropped  in  the  post-office,  or  by  attractive  posters  in  conspicuous 
places.  Suggestions  for  posters  and  invitations  may  be  secured 
along  with  the  prepared  programs.     It  might  be  wise  to  have  a 


member  of  the  program  committee  serve  as  chairman  of  the  adver- 
tisement connnittee.  The  committee  need  not  do  all  this  work 
every  month,  but  they  should  see  to  it  that  it  is  done.  Occasionally, 
the  members  and  non-members  might  be  divided  into  groups,  the 
advertisement  committee  appointing  one  person  to  be  responsible 
for  each  group.  This  committee  may  also  have  under  its  care 
the  posting  of  the  program  in  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  church. 
For  further  suggestions  see  "Hints  to  Leaders." 

Campaign  Committee. 

In  some  societies  the  membership  committee  may  have  charge 
of  the  special  campaign  each  year  for  new  members  and  new 
Evangel  subscribers.  In  other  societies  a  special  committee  should 
be  appointed  to  organize  and  direct  the  forces  of  the  society  at 
this  important  time.  Each  year  suggestions  for  this  campaign 
committee  are  given  either  in  the  Evangel  or  in  letters  from  the 
general  secretary  and  the  department  secretary  of  Otterbein  Guild. 
(See  Campaign,  page  42.) 

Regular  Meetings. 

1.  The  Monthly  Meetings. 

This  is  the  center  around  which  all  the  work  of  the  society 
revolves. 

It  should  be  held  the  first  or  second  week  of  each  month  m 
order  that  reports  from  local  officers  may  reach  the  branch  officers 
not  later  than  June  20,  September  20,  Decem'ber  20,  and  March  20. 

The  date  of  the  meeting  should  never  be  changed  except  for 
very  important  reasons. 

2.  The  Business  Meeting. 

The  June,  September,  December,  and  March  regular  meetings 
are  the  quarterly  business  meetings  when  reports  in  writing  should 
be  presented  by  the  secretary,  treasurer,  secretary  of  literature, 
thank-offering  secretary,  collectors,  and  chairmen  of  all  committees. 

At  the  meeting  in  September  plans  should  be  made  for  Woman's 
Day  the  last  Sunday  of  October,  also  for  the  fall  campaign  for 
new  members  and  new  subscribers  to  the  Evangel. 

At  the  annual  business  meeting  in  March,  reports  for  the  year 
should  be  g-iven  by  all  officers  and  chairmen  of  coimnittees.  Reports 
should  be  full  and  yet  to  the  point.  Officers  should  be  elected,  also 
three  delegates  and  three  alternates  to  the  branch  meeting  .from 


tho  locnl  society  and  two  delegates  and  two  alternates  from  the 
chapter  of  the  Otterbein  (Juild.  The  pledge  for  the  new  year 
should  be  decided  upon.     (See  Funds  page  36). 

When  both  the  president  and  vice-president  are  absent,  the 
secretary  or  treasurer  shovdd  call  the  meeting  to  order  and  a  mem- 
ber present  should  be  elected  president  pro  tern. 

Order  of  Business. 

Meeting  called  to  order  by  President. 
Devotional  Exercises. 
Eoll  Call. 

Reading  and  approval  of  minutes. 
Report  of  Secretary. 
Report  of  Secretary  of  Literature. 
"       "  "  "    Thank-offering. 

"       "    Collectors. 
"       "    Treasurer. 
"       "    Committees — Executive. 
Program. 
Membership. 
Advertisement. 
»  Campaign. 

Finance. 
Unfinished  business. 
New  business. 

Appointment  of  special  committees. 
Program. 
Closing  Prayer. 
Adjournment. 

Suggestions  on  the  Order  of  Business. 

The  executive  committee  should  bring  to  the  quarterly  business 
meeting  a  report  of  all  meetings  held  during  the  quarter. 

Under  unfinished  business  will  come  reports  of  committees 
appointed  at  the  last  meeting,  or  the  completion  of  any  business 
under  consideration  but  not  passed  upon  at  a  previous  meeting. 

Under  new  business  will  come  consideration  of  any  new  plans 
proposed  by  the  president,  executive  committee,  or  any  member. 
Any  special  message  that  may  have  come  from  the  Board  or  branch 
officevs  should  be  considered  at  this  time. 

;j4 


It  is  often  best  to  refer  work  to  committees.  These  are  usually 
appointed  by  the  president,  and,  except  in  cases  where  great  de- 
liberation is  needed,  three  members  are  sufficient,  of  which  the  one 
named  first  is  usually  chairman  and  should  call  the  committee 
together. 

Motions. 

All  business  should  be  brought  before  the  society  by  a  motion. 
When  a  member  makes  a  motion  it  should  not  be  debated  or  acted 
upon  until  it  has  been  seconded. 

When  a  motion  is  seconded,  the  president  should  distinctly  state 
the  emotion  and  say,  "Are  there  any  remarks  ?"  If  no  remarks  are 
offered,  then  the  president  should  put  the  question  thus :  "All  who 
are  in  favor  of  the  motion  will  say  'Aye'."  When  those  in  favor 
have  voted,  the  president  should  say,  "All  who  are  opposed  will 
say  'No' "  and  should  then  announce  that  the  motion  is  carried  or 
lost,  as  the  case  may  be.  If  there  are  any  remarks,  the  above 
questions  should  be  put  as  soon  as  the  debate  closes.  For  further 
rules  see  "Robert's  Rules  of  Order"  which  may  be  secured  at  the 
LT.  B.  Publishing  House,  or  any  book  store,  or  Lillian  Cole-Bethel's 
Question  Book  of  Parliamentary  Law,  for  sale  in  the  Literature 
Department,  407  Otterbein  Press  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

When  the  minutes  of  the  regular  meetings  have  been  read,  the 
president  should  say,  "Are  there  any  corrections  to  the  minutes?" 
After  waiting  a  moment,  if  there  are  no  corrections,  she  then  an- 
nounces, "The  minutes  stand  approved  as  read."  If  there  are  any 
errors  in  them,  this  is  the  time  for  corrections.  She  then  says, 
"The  minutes  stand  approved  as  corrected." 

Hints  to  Leaders. 

If  some  special  mission  field  is  to  be  studied,  have  a  map  talk 
showing  the  location  of  mission  stations,  use  photographs  of  mis- 
sionaries, native  pastors,  teachers,  and  mission  teachers,  pictures 
of  buildings,  curios,  all  of  which  bring  a  country  vividly  before 
the  women  and  deepen  the  interest.  Many  of  these  pictures  may 
be  taken  from  the  Evangel.  Photographs  of  missionaries,  pictures 
of  buildings,  and  maps  of  our  mission  fields  may  be  secured  from 
the  Literature  Department,  407  Otterbein  Press  Building. 

Let  the  devotions  be  brief  and  pointed.  Have  an  aim  for  each 
meeting.  The  Scripture  lesson,  every  prayer,  every  song,  every 
talk,    should    emphasize   the   same   theme.      Always    have   definite 

35 


prayer  for  the  field  considered,  for  the  missionaries,  for  any  other 
work  for  which  the  society  is  pledged,  and  for  the  Woman's  Board 
that  its  work  may  be  efFective.  Let  those  who  are  to  pray  be  asked 
some  time  before  so  that  they  may  come  to  the  meeting  in  the 
spirit  of  prayer. 

Begin  and  close  promptly. 

The  leader  may  well  devote  time  to  the  reviewing  of  the  hymn 
book  used  by  the  society  and  the  choosing  of  appropriate  hymns. 
All  hymns  of  faith,  courage,  and  consecration  are  essentially  mis- 
sionary. 

Occasionally  have  some  one  dress  in  costume  and  tell  of  the 
life  of  women  in  the  country  she  represents.  This  talk  should  be 
given  in  the  first  person. 

A  missionary  story  that  harmonizes  with  the  theme  for  the  day 
makes  an  interesting  feature  now  and  then. 

A  talk,  even  if  the  voice  trembles,  often  has  greater  influence 
than  eloquent  speeches. 

Make  each  meeting  a  special  meeting  so  that  the  women  who 
attend  will  feel  more  keenly  their  I'esponsibility ;  will  be  more 
ready  to  give,  to  serve,  and  to  pray. 

Avoid  ruts.  Vary  your  meetings  with  addresses,  symposium, 
travelogues,  impersonations,  pageants,  etc. 

A  clever  leader  will  find  that  the  Wonder  Box  will  afford  an 
opportunity  for  many  women  to  have  a  part  in  the  program.  For 
further  suggestions  see  program  and  advertisement  committee. 

Mission  Study. 

The  Board  each  year  selects  two  mission  study  books,  one  home 
and  one  foreign  and  each  society  makes  its  own  choice  of  the  two 
books.  These  books,  are  published  under  the  auspices  of  interde- 
nominational conunittees  and  are  used  by  the  women's  societies  of 
all  churches.  Such  a  study  is  important  in  arousing  and  main- 
taining general  missionary  interest,  not  only  in  the  mission  fields 
of  our  own  church,  but  also  in  giving  to  the  women  a  vision  of 
the  uncompleted  task  before  the  whole  Christian  church. 

These  books  are  generally  ready  for  distribution  in  the  early 
summer  which  enables  societies  to  begin  the  study  in  the  fall. 

Funds. 
Any  woman  or  girl  may  become  a  member  of  a  local  society 


by  the  payment  of  ten  cents  per  mouth.  (See  constitution  for 
local  society.) 

Any  young  unmarried  girl  may  become  a  member  of  a  chapter 
of  the  Otterbein  Guild  by  the  payment  of  six  cents  per  month. 
(See  constitution  for  chapter.) 

A  new  member  begins  to  pay  dues  the  month  in  which  she  joins 
the  society. 

On  the  treasurer's  report  blank,  the  dues  must  always  be  placed 
in  the  general  fund;  the  Woman's  Day  offering  and  the  thank- 
offering  in  the  columns  designated  for  those  two  funds.  All  other 
money  except  branch  contingent  and  free  literature  may  be  given 
to  any  field  or  fields. 

All  money  except  the  local  contingent  is  sent  to  the  branch 
treasurer  quarterly.  Each  fund  except  the  branch  contingent  and 
free  literature  fund  should  be  sent  in  dollars  only  and  no  cents. 

Dues,  all  money  for  support  of  work  in  our  different  fields. 
Woman's  Day  offering,  and  thank-offering  may  count  on  the 
pledge  to  the  branch.  After  April  1918,  the  thank-offering  will  be 
over  and  above  the  pledge. 

Do  not  send  money  direct  to  the  missionaries  nor  to  conference 
with  the  pastor.  No  credit  for  such  money  can  be  given  the  so- 
ciety on  the  books  of  the  branch  or  general  treasurer.  Neither 
should  outside  appeals  be  allowed  to  diminish  the  offerings  to  the 
regular  work  of  the  church.  Each  woman  must  recognize  her 
personal  obligation  to  the  work  supported  by  the  Association  and 
at  the  same  time,  the  money  raised  by  the  society  should  never 
interfere  with  the  regular  contributions  of  the  women  for  missions 
through  the  local  church. 

While  a  woman  may  be  a  member  of  a  local  society  by  paying 
10  cents  per  month  and  a  girl  a  member  of  a  chapter  by  paying 
six  cents  per  month,  we  would  urge  each  one  to  contribute  to  the 
Woman's  Day  fund,  the  thank-offering,  and  make  definite  offering 
to  the  various  fields.  An  effort  may  be  made  to  secure,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  year,  a  pledge  from  each  member  of  the  society  to  be 
paid  each  month  or  each  quarter.  Every  woman  ought  to  be  given 
an  opportunity  to  contribute  whether  she  is  able  to  attend  the 
meetings  or  not. 

The  general  fund  is  used  to  pay  the  expenses  of  administration : 
that  is,  the  salaries  of  the  general  secretary  and  -treasurer  and 
department  secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Giiild,  field  work,  printing, 
office  supplies,  postage,  clerical  help,  traveling  expenses  of  trustees 

:J7 


and  officers  to  Board  Meetiiij;'.  It  also  supplements  the  amounts 
received  for  work "  in  the  United  States,  Africa,  China,  Japan, 
Porto  Rico  and  the  Philippine  Islands. 

The  Woman's  Day  offering-  each  year  is  designated  by  the 
Board  for  some  particular  work. 

Heretofore,  individuals  and  societies  have  sometimes  con- 
tributed special  money  for  the  support  of  an  individual  student 
in  some  school  in  a  mission  field.  However  the  Board  and  the 
missionaries  are  very  anxious  that  boys  and  girls  in  the  .mission 
schools  shall  pay  at  least  a  part  of  their  own  tuition,  thus  bringing 
the  school  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  a  self-supporting  basis.  For 
this  reason,  we  ask  that  individuals  and  societies  making  special 
gifts,  apply  them  to  a  scholarship  in  a  school  rather  than  to  the 
support  of  an  individual  student  in  that  school. 

This  does  not  take  away  from  the  giver  the  privilege  of  con- 
tributing to  any  particular  mission  field  or  fields,  to  the  support 
of  a  mission  station,  or  to  a  certain  department  of  the  work,  such 
as  medical,  industrial,  etc.  (For  detailed  suggestions  see  leaflet — 
"What  My  Money  Will  Do"  published  by  Literature  Department, 
407  Otterbein  Press  Building.) 

Branch   Contingent. 

This  fund  is  used  for  the  purpose  of  developing  tlie  work  within 
the  branch  itself,  and  does  not  go  for  mission  work  directly.  Weak 
societies  must  be  strengthened,  new  societies  organized,  and  insti- 
tutes held.  This  calls  for  travel,  for  a  vast  amount  of  writing  by 
the  branch  officers,  and  the  distribution  of  literature.  To  do  this 
work  the  branch  must  have  ample  funds  to  meet  its  expenses.  This 
fund  is  also  used  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  branch  convention, 
secure  speakers,  print  programs,  etc.  It  is  further  used  to  pay 
expenses  of  the  three  delegates  to  the  biennial  Board  Meeting. 
This  fund  should  be  sent  quarterly  to  the  branch  treasurer  and 
need  not.  be  in  dollars  only.  This  money  cannot  be  applied  on 
the  pledge  either  of  the  society  or  the  branch. 

Local  Contingent. 
This  fund  is  used  for  local  expenses  and-  is  kept  in  the  local 
treasury.  It  may  be  used  to  pay  for  programs,  send  delegates  to 
branch  convention,  biiy  literature  and  supplies,  etc.  Each  society 
is  left  to  decide  its  own  method  of  raising  this  fund  which  need 
not  be  large. 

38 


Free  Literature  Fund. 

This  fund  is  to  pay  for  the  leaflets  which  are  being  distributed 
without  cost,  such  as  the  prayer  cycle,  catalogues  of  literature  and 
supplies,  Standard  of  Excellence,  leaflets  for  officers,  and  leaflets 
that  are  used  in  organizing  and  in  getting  new  societies  started. 
In  organizing  new  societies,  the  officers  must  be  furnished  with  in- 
struction and  information  for  their  untried  work.  For  this  pur- 
pose, a  budget  of  various  helps  is  sent  out  free  to  the  president 
of  every  new  society. 

Each  local  and  chapter  is  asked  to  take  an  oft'ering  at  the  litera- 
ture meeting  in  October  which  is  to  be  sent  by  the  treasurer  to 
the  branch  treasurer  and  designated  for  the  free  literature  fund. 
This  money  cannot  be  applied  on  the  pledge  either  of  the  society 
or  the  branch. 

Mission  Fields. 

The  mission  fields  of  the  church  are  the  United  States,  Africa, 
China,  Japan,  Porto  Rico  and  the  Philippine  Islands.  Every  so- 
ciety has  the  privilege  of  voting  its  funds  other  than  the  dues  and 
the  Woman's  Day  and  thank-offering  to  any  of  these  fields  or 
among  all  of  them. 

Life  Members,  Life  Directors,  Life  Patrons. 

Any  person  may  become  a  life  member  by  the  payment  into 
the  society  of  ten  dollars  either  in  one  payment  or  in  five  yearly 
payments  of  not  less  than  two  dollars  each.  This  membership  does 
not  exempt  from  annual  dues. 

A  life  directorship  certificate  is  granted  for  the  payment  of 
twenty-five  dollars  in  installments  of  five  dollars  a  year  for  five 
years.    This  membership  does  not  exempt  from  annual  dues. 

A  life  patronship  certificate  is  granted  for  the  payment  of  one 
hundred  dollars  in  installments  of  twenty  dollars  a  year  for  five 
years.    This  membership  does  not  exempt  from  annual  dues. 

Any  of  these  may  be  paid  in  a  shorter  period  of  time,  and  either 
by  the  individual  herself,  a  friend,  or  a  group  of  friends.  The  per- 
son or  persons  making  the  payments  have  the  privilege  of  designat- 
ing in  which  mission  field  and  for  what  work  the  money  is  to  be 
used.  No  money  raised  by  the  society  can  be  voted  for  this  purpose. 

A  life  director  who  is  at  the  same  time  a  member  of  a  mission- 
arj  society  and  is  paying  annual  dues  has  the  privileges  of  full 

39 


membersliii)  in  the  branch  and  mi\y  vote  even  thongh  she  is  not 
an  elected  delegate  to  its  annnal  meeting.  A  life  patron  who  is 
annually  paying  dues  into  a  missionary  society  is  a  full  member 
of  the  Board  of  Managers  with  voting  privileges  at  its  biennial 
meeting,  and  also  has  full  membership  in  the  branch.  Wlien  such 
.members  cease  paying  annual  dues  the  above  privileges  are  discon- 
tinued. 

Persons  not  members  of  a  missionary  society,  (that  is,  those 
not  paying  annual  dues,)  who  pay  for  a  life  membership,  life 
directorship  or  life  patronship  are  counted  on  an  honorary  list 
and  do  not  have  voting  privileges  in  the  branch  or  Board. 

Life  members,  life  directors,  and  life  patrons  are  counted  and 
reported  each  year  by  the  society  of  which  they  are  paying  mem.- 
bers  regardless  of  the  place  or  society  through  which  they  made 
their  payments. 

Any  one  wishing  to  take  out  a  life  membership,  directorship  or 
patronship  should  sign  one  of  the  blank  notes  furnished  free  from 
the  office.  This  note  in  no  way  binds  her  to  continue  payments 
should  she  find  it  impossible  to  complete  the  full  amount.  It  is 
held  by  the  local  treasurer  who  credits  each  payment  on  the  back 
of  the  note.  When  paid  in  full,  the  note  is  given  to  the  woman 
making  the  payments  as  a  receipt.  The  full  name  as  desired  on 
the  certificate  is  then  sent  by  the  local  treasurer  to  the  general 
secretary,  407  Otterbein  Press  Bldg.,  Dayton,  Ohio,  who  sends 
the  certificate  of  life  membership,  directorship  or  patronship,  as  the 
case  may  be. 

Woman's  Day. 

By  the  action  of  General  Conference,  the  last  Sunday  in  October 
of  each  year  is  designated  as  Woman's  Day.  The  plans  for  the 
observance  of  the  day  are  left  to  the  local  missionary  society  and 
the  chapter  of  the  Otterbein  Guild.  Where  both  these  organiza- 
tions exist,  a  joint  committee  may  be  appointed  to  plan  and  work 
out  the  details  of  the  program  and  meeting. 

The  program  for  Woman's  Day  is  published  each  year  in  the 
October  issue  of  the  Evangel.  With  it  are  published  facts  and  ma- 
terial helpful  in  preparing  addresses  and  papers. 

The  offering  taken  at  this  service  goes  into  the  Woman's  Day 
fund.  This  fund  is  designated  each  year  by  the  Board,  usually 
for  the  erection  of  buildings  needed  on  our  mission  fields  or  for 
equipment. 

40 


Printed  envelopes  for  the  offering  are  sent  free  each  year  to 
all  societies.  These  should  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  committee 
for  distribution  among  all  members,  at  least  a  week  preceding 
Woman's  Day,  with  the  understanding  that  the  offering  will  be 
called  for  later  by  the  committee,  should  any  of  the  members  be 
unable  to  attend. 

The  division  of  the  offering  between  the  local  society  and  chap- 
ter of  the  Otterbein  Guild  can  very  easily  be  determined.  The  en- 
velopes bear  the  names  of  the  persons  depositing  them  and  can  be 
readily  sorted  according  to  organizations.  The  loose  offering  should 
be  equally  divided. 

Each  society  and  chapter  of  the  Otterbein  Guild  should  with- 
out fail  use  this  opportunity  each  year  for  publicly  presenting  the 
work. 

Day  op  Prayer. 

Good  Friday  has  been  set  apart  by  the  Board  as  a  Day  of 
Prayer  to  be  observed  by  every  society.  Its  observance  on  or  near 
Good  Friday  is  made  a  requirement  on  the  Standard  of  Excellence. 
A  program  for  the  meeting  is  published  each  year  in  the  Evangel. 

Daily  Hour  of  Prayer. 

All  members  are  asked  to  remember  in  daily  prayer  the  mission- 
aries and  the  work  of  the  Association.  A  prayer  cycle  is  published 
giving  names  and  special  objects  of  prayer  for  each  day.  It  may 
be  secvired  free  of  charge  from  the  Literature  Department. 

In  some  branches  the  women  and  girls  form  a  league  of  inter- 
cessors whose  members  sign  a  prayer  covenant. 

Goals — Extensive  and  Intensive. 

The  Board,  realizing  the  imperative  call  to  the  women  and  girls 
for  increased  effort  along  all  phases  of  Christian  activity,  has  set 
the  following  goals  for  the  quadrennium  ending  April,  1921. 

Slogan — Greater  Works. 

Aim — "That  the  world  may  know." 

Goals— 27,000  women,  14,000  girls,  18,000  Evangels,  $100,000. 

Stronghold — "Without  Me  ye  can  do  nothing." 

In  this  quadrennium  of  "Greater  Works,"  it  is  important  to 
conserve  carefvilly  what  was  accoiTiplished  during  the  previous 
quadrennium  of  conquest.  To  this  end,  the  first  year  is  to  be  devoted 

41 


to  educational  and  intensive  work,  so  that  the  new  organizatFons, 
local  societies  and  chapters,  may  be  placed  on  a  permanent  basis. 
The  second  and  third  years  will  be  devoted  to  education  and  organi- 
zation. The  fourth  year  will  be  devoted  to  educational  and  in- 
tensive work  bringing  to  a  climax  the  work  of  the  entire  quad- 
rennium.  This  will  help  to  lay  a  solid  foundation  for  the  following 
quadrenniinn  which  will  be  filled  with  plans  and  preparation  for  a 
great  ingathering  to  celebrate  our  Golden  Jubilee  in  1925. 

The  plan  adopted  two  years  ago  will  be  continued  through  this 
quadrenniinn,  namely,  the  districting  of  each  conference  under 
group  leaders.     See  page  below. 

Campaign. 

The  first  year  of  this  quadrennium  is  to  be  devoted  to  educa- 
tional and  intensive  work — special  emphasis  to  be  put  upon  Evangel 
subscriptions,  new  and  renewals,  the  distribution  of  literature,  the 
use  of  the  year  of  programs  and  mission  study  books,  the  strength- 
ening of  new  or  weak  societies,  and  the  interesting  of  the  women 
and  girls  who  are  already  members  but  not  active.  The  branch 
should  at  all  times  extend  the  work  into  unorganized  churches. 
The  second  and  third  years  are  to  be  devoted  to  education  and 
organization — special  emphasis  to  be  placed  as  in  the  first  year 
upon  the  Evangel  and  the  reading  of  missionary  literature,  and 
upon  the  organization  of  new  societies  in  the  branch  and  the  secur- 
ing of  new  members  in  local  societies  and  chapters.  The  fourth 
year  will  be  devoted  to  educational  and  intensive  work  as  just 
explained. 

In  local  societies  and  chapters  the  last  two  weeks  of  October 
shoidd  be  given  each  year  to  an  extensive  campaign  for  new  mem- 
bers and  Evangel  subscribers,  to  be  brought  to  a  climax  on 
Woman's  Day. 

Group  Leaders. 

The  constitution  provides  that  the  branch  may  be  divided  into 
districts  under  the  supervision  of  the  vice-presidents.  These  dis- 
tricts may  be  subdivided  into  groups  with  a  group  leader  for  each 
which  will  insure  to  the  societies  in  the  group  more  direct  atten- 
tion and  better  help  for  local  needs  than  if  the  branch  president  or 
vice-president  attempts  to  look  after  a  larger  number  of  societies 
and  churches. 


Best  results  may  be  obtained  if  a  group  consists  of  not  more 
than  six  or  eight  churches,  so  situated  that  they  may  easily  come 
together  for  union  meetings.  Every  church  in  the  conference 
should  be  placed  in  a  definite  group  whether  it  has  a  missionary 
organization  or  not. 

The  group  leader  should  have  a  list  of  all  the  churches,  local 
societies  and  chapters  in  her  group.  In  a  book  provided  for  the 
purpose,  she  should  keep  a  list  of  all  the  officers  of  each  local  society 
and  chapter  furnished  her  by  the  branch  president;  also  a  list  of 
key  women  and  girls  in  all  churches  not  organized,  which  she  can 
secure  from  the  pastors  of  those  churches  or  from  the  conference 
superintendent  whose  co-operation  she  should  seek  in  all  her  work. 

Her  duties  include  the  strengthening  of  weak  local  societies 
and  chapters  and  the  organizing  of  new  ones.  She  may  secure 
helps  for  the  organizing  of  new  societies  from  the  Literature 
Department,  407  Otterbein  Press  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio.  Wlien 
a  new  local  society  or  chapter  is  organized  she  should  immediately 
report  the  names  of  officers  with  their  addresses  and  the  number 
of  members  to  the  branch  president  and  to  the  general  secretary 
who  will  see  that  they  are  provided  with  literature  and  sample 
Evangels. 

She  has  charge  of  the  institute  held  in  her  group.  (See  insti- 
tutes.) She,  with  her  helpers,  is  responsible  for  the  program  and 
the  securing  of  a  large  attendance  of  women  and  girls  from  the 
churches  in  the  group.  It  is  often  best  for  all  the  group  leaders  of 
the  branch  to  plan  together  a  uniform  program  that  is  to  be 
carried  out  in  all  the  institutes. 

In  some  conferences  it  may  be  a  good  plan  for  the  second  vice- 
president  to  be  the  chairman  of  the  group  leaders  and  to  assist 
them  in  making  plans  and  dates  for  institutes.  In  other  confer- 
ences, it  may  be  best  for  a  woman  to  be  elected  for  this  particular 
duty.  This  woman  may  be  known  as  the  field  worker  of  the  branch, 
conference  organizer,  or  missionary  evangelist  as  may  be  decided 
upon. 

Institutes. 

Branches  will  find  missionary  institutes  most  helpful  in  quick- 
ening interest  and  enlarging  their  work.  Such  an  institute  is 
usually  held_  in  each  of  the  groups  into  which  the  conference  is 
divided  and  is  therefore  under  the  supervision  of  the  leader  of  that 
group. 

43 


The  institute  may  consist  of  a  morning  and  an  afternoon  session 
or  of  a  morning,  an  afternoon  and  an  evening  session.  If  there 
are  three  sessions  the  evening's  program  is  usually  of  an  inspira- 
tional nature.  In  either  case,  the  day  sessions  afford  a  splendid 
opportunity  for  those  present  to  discuss  practical  plans  of  work 
and  to  exchange  ideas  concerning  all  departments  of  work  in  a 
local  society  or  chapter. 

Group  leaders  frequently  plan  to  hold  institutes  in  churches 
that  have  no  missionary  society  and  as  a  climax  to  the  day's 
program  effect  such  an  organization. 

Members-at-L.\rge. 

There  are  many  interested  women  and  girls  in  churches  where 
tliere  is  no  local  society  or  chapter  who  would  like  to  be  identified 
in  some  way  with  the  Association.  Provision  is  made  that  any 
such  woman  or  girl  may  be  an  active  memher-at-large  by  paying 
the  regular  dues  as  provided  in  the  constitution — ten  cents  per 
month  for  a  woman  and  six  cents  per  month  for  a  young  unmarried 
girl. 

The  first  vice-president  should  keep  a  list  of  the  names  and 
addresses  of  all  members-at-large  and  try  constantly  to  secure 
new  ones.  She  should  endeavor  to  enroll  each  member-at-large  as 
a  subscriber  to  the  Evangel.  She  shoidd  provide  her  with  a  con- 
stitution, a  thank-offering  box,  a  Woman's  Day  envelope,  letters 
or  bulletins  sent  out  by  branch  officers  and  a  copy  of  the  branch 
meeting  program.  If  a  girl,  she  shovdd  be  provided,  in  addition, 
with  a  love-otfering  box. 

The  members-at-large  should  send  their  annual  dues,  their 
Woman's  Day  offering  and  their  thank-offering  to  the  first  vice- 
president.  The  vice-president  should  send  all  money  thus  collected 
to  the  branch  treasurer  by  March  20.  She  should  report  the  num- 
ber of  women  members-at-large  to  the  branch  secretary  and  the 
number  of  girl  members-at-large  to  the  branch  secretary  of  Otter- 
bein  Guild  by  March  20.  She  should  report  to  the  branch  secre- 
tary of  literature  by  March  20.  the  amount  of  literature  given  out 
and  the  number  of  Evangel  subscriptions  secured.  She  should 
report  to  the  secretary  of  thank-offering  by  March  20  the  number  of 
thank-offering  boxes  used  and  the  amount  of  money  thus  given  by 
menabers-at-large.  She  sliould  givo  a  summary  of  the  work 
done  during  the  year  to  the  branch  convention. 

44 


Delegates  to  Board  Meetixo. 

Each  branch  is  entitled  to  three  delegates  to  tlie  biennial  meet- 
ing of  the  Board  of  Managers  in  addition  to  the  branch  president. 
The  constitution  provides  that  one  of  the  three  delegates  should  be 
a  member  of  the  executive  committee  and  one  a  representative  of 
the  Otterbein  Guild.  If  the  branch  is  not  able  to  send  the  president 
and  the  three  elected  delegates,  it  must  decide  as  to  which  one  or 
ones  shall  go.  If  only  one  representative  goes,  she  should  be  a 
member  of  the  execxitive  committee  but  not  necessarily  the  presi- 
dent. It  is  important,  however,  that  each  branch  send  its  full 
quota  if  p>ossible  in  order  that  they  may  bring  back  to  the  branch 
plans  and  inspiration  for  the  year's  work.  The  Board  also  needs 
this  number  of  delegates  for  counsel  and  to  plan  the  work  of  the 
Association  which  affects  every  branch. 

Any  woman  or  girl  who  is  sent  as  a  delegate  to  the  biennial 
meeting  should  feel  herself  under  definite  obligation  to  give  back 
to  the  branch  such  help  and  inspiration  as  will  help  the  executive 
committee  to  carry  forward  the  plans  of  the  Board.  She  should  be 
willing  to  visit  societies  and  aid  in  the  work  of  organizing  and 
in  conducting  institvites. 

Delegates  to  Branch  Meeting. 

Each  local  society  is  entitled  to  three  and  each  chapter  to  two 
delegates  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the  branch.  It  is  important 
that  every  society  send  its  full  quota  of  delegates  to  this  meeting 
in  order  that  they  may  bring  back  to  the  society  the  plans  and 
inspiration  for  the  year's  work.  The  branch  also  needs  this  num- 
ber of  delegates  from  each  society  for  counsel  and  to  plan  the 
work  of  the  brancli  which  affects  every  local  society.  The  society 
should  provide  the  traveling  expenses  of  its  delegates  from  its  local 
contingent  fund. 

Roll  of  Honor. 

A  roll  of  honor  is  printed  each  quarter  in  the  Evangel.  If  the 
local  societies  in  a  branch  have  met  all  the  following  requirements, 
that  branch  appears  on  this  honor  roll.  If  the  chapters  in  a  branch 
have  met  all  the  following  requirements  that  branch  appears  on 
the  honor  roll.  It  can  thus  be  seen  that  the  name  of  a  branch  will 
appear  twice  if  both  the  local  societies  and  chapters  have  met  the 
requirements. 

45 


Ninety  per  cent,  of  the  locals  reporting  to  the  branch  secretary 
on  time. 

Ninety  per  cent,  of  the  chapters  reporting  to  the  branch  Otter- 
bein  Guild  secretary  on  time. 

Ninety  per  cent,  of  the  locals  reporting  to  the  branch  treasurer 
on  time. 

Ninety  per  cent,  of  the  chapters  reporting  to  the  branch  treas- 
urer on  time. 

Ninety  per  cent,  of  locals  reporting  to  the  branch  secretary  of 
literature  on  time. 

Ninety  per  cent,  of  the  chapters  reporting  to  the  branch  secre- 
tary of  literature  on  time. 

Ninety  per  cent,  of  the  locals  using  a  prepared  program. 

Ninety  per  cent,  of  the  chapters  using  a  prepared  program. 

That  no  organization  disband  during  the  quarter. 

Relation  of  Local  Society  and  Chapter  of  Otterbein  Guild. 

The  local  society  has  no  jurisdiction  over  the  chapter  of  the 
Otterbein  Guild  in  the  same  church.  The  girls  elect  a  member  of 
the  local  society  as  patroness.  If  there  is  no  local  society,  they 
may  elect  any  woman  in  the  church  who  is  interested  in  missions. 
The  patroness,  then,  is  the  connecting  link  between  the  two  organ- 
izations. She  stands  in  the  relation  of  a  counsellor  to  the  chapter 
of  the  Otterbein  Guild,  but  has  no  vote.  She  may  be  an  advisory 
member  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  local  society. 

Missionary  Barrels. 

Any  society  wishing  to  send  a  barrel  to  a  home  missionary 
should  write  to  the  general  secretary  of  the  W.  M.  A.  for  names 
and  addresses.  This  will  enable  the  board  to  make  porper  distribu- 
tion so  that  there  will  be  no  overlapping  of  gifts  nor  overlooking  of 
worthy  missionaries.  A  place  will  be  provided  on  the  secretary's 
annual  report  blank  for  noting  the  estimated  value  of  any  such 
barrels  sent  during  the  year. 

Standard  of  Excellence. 

A  separate  standard  is  arranged  for  branches,  local  societies 
and  chapters,  copies  of  which  may  be  obtained  free  from  the 
Literature  Department,  407  Otterbein  Press  Bldg.,  Dayton,  Ohio. 
It  is  recommended  that  a  silk  flag  representing  one  of  our  mission 

46 


fields  be  given  each  year  by  a  branch  to  its  local  societies  and  chap- 
ters that  have  reached  every  point  on  the  Standard.  The  Board 
gives  the  same  recognition  to  branches  that  have  reached  every 
point  on  the  Standard. 

Wills,  Bequests,  Death  Notes,  Annuities. 

Any  one  desiring  to  leave  money  to  the  Association  by  the  terms 
of  a  will  or  death  note  should  consult  a  first-class  attorney  in  her 
own  state  for  correct  form.  We  do  not  give  here  any  form  be- 
cause the  laws  vary  in  different  states. 

If  any  persons  desire  their  money  to  go  finally  to  the  missionary 
cause  and  yet  are  in  need  of  some  income  from  it  while  they  live, 
they  may  consider  the  annuity  plan  which  is  a  much  safer  way 
than  either  the  will  or  bequest.  By  this  method  also  the  giver  is 
privileged  to  see  the  money  doing  good  while  he  or  she  is  still 
living.  The  Association  allows  a  reasonable  interest  to  be  paid 
for  money  thus  given  as  long  as  the  donor  lives. 

THE  OTTERBEIN  GUILD. 

The  Otterbein  Guild  is  the  national  organization  of  the  young 
women  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  for  systematic  Bible  and 
mission  study.    Its  aim  is  twofold. 

First : — To  bind  together  the  young  women  of  the  denomination 
for  world-wide  Christian  service,  "that  the  daughters  of  sorrow 
in  all  lands  may  know  the  love  of  Jesus." 

Second: — To  develop  spiritually,  intellectually,  and  practically 
the  young  womanhood  of  the  church.  Through  the  Otterbein  Guild 
the  highest  ideals  of  service,  study  and  giving  may  be  set  before 
the  girls  of  the  Church,  the  study  which  finds  in  God's  word  the 
tcorld  task  and  calls  them  to  the  noblest  and  most  effective  living; 
the  service  which  includes  every  kind  of  work  that  will  advance 
the  kingdom  among  men ;  the  giving  which  counts  not  only  their 
money,  but  time,  strength,  energy,  influence,  and  ability. 

The  colors  of  the  Guild  are  purple  and  white.  Purple  stands 
for  royalty,  "daughters  of  a  Eng"— white  stands  for  purity.  The 
flower  is  the  violet.  The  pin  is  a  small  monogram  made  in  the 
colors  of  the  organization. 

Each  one  who  joins  a  chapter  is  invited  to  sign  the  covenant 
which  expresses  the  purpose  of  the  organiation,  and  which  reads 
as  follows : 

47 


My  Covenant. 

Grateful  that  "I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveih,"  Mindful  that 
vast  millions  of  tcomen  and  girls  ran  never  hear  the  "tidings  of 
great  joy"  unless  a  Christian  woman  he  sent  to  them,  Rememher- 
inq  that  Jesus  made  loving  obedience  tJie  supreme  test  of  disciple- 
ship,  and  that  his  last,  most  solemn  command  ivas  "Oo  teach  all 
tuitions,"  I  gladly  enter  into  this  covenant  of  obedience,  that  I 
ivill  not  cease  to  make  offerings  of  Prayer,  Time,  and  Money  to 
the  end  that  the  daughters  of  sorrow  in  all  lands  may  know  the 
love  of  Jesus. 

Organization. 

Each  local  organization  is  a  chapter  of  the  Guild.  Any  young 
unmarried  woman  may  become  a  member  by  the  payment  of  six 
cents  per  month,    (See  constitution  for  chapter.) 

The  following  officers  should  be  elected  in  each  chapter:  presi- 
dent, vice-president,  secretary,  treasurer,  secretary  of  literature, 
secretary  of  thank-offering,  and  patroness.  (For  duties  of  each 
see  page  24,  or  leaflet  "Duties  of  Officers.") 

Study  Courses. 

Each  chapter  is  asked  to  pursue  at  least  one  Bible  study  course 
and  one  mission  study  course  each  year.  It  is  suggested  that  the 
chapters  alternate  the  study  of  the  home  and  foreigm  books  each 
year.  (See  O.  G.  Teller).  After  March  1918,  a  related  and  prog- 
ressive Two  years'  course  will  be  sent  to  all  newly  organized  chap- 
ters. 

Special  Objects  of  Support. 

The  Otterbein  Guild  has  six  special  objects  of  interest — the 
Girls'  School,  Moyamba,  West  Africa ;  the  Young  Women's  Bible 
Training  School,  Philippine  Islands ;  the  Elizabeth  Kuniler  Miller 
Seminary,  Siu  Lam,  China;  kindergarten  work  in  Japan,  and 
deaconess  work  in  Porto  Rico. 

Special  Days. 

The  Otterbein  Guild  has  five  red  letter  days.  They  are  Litera- 
ture Day,  Woman's  Day,  Thanksgiving  Praise  Service,  Thauk- 
offering  and  Day  of  Prayer.  Programs  and  material  for  programs 
for  each  of  these  days  may  be  found  in  the  Evangel.    The  Thanks- 

48 


giving  Praise  Service  belongs  exclusively  to  the  Guild.  It  is  one 
of  the  most  spiritual,  impressive  meetingsof  the  whole  year  accord- 
ing to  the  testimonies  of  many  of  the  chapters.  It  is  suggested 
that  the  service  be  held  early  in  the  morning  on  Thanksgiving  Day. 
It  is  at  this  meeting  that  the  love-offering  boxes  are  opened  and  the 
offering  consecrated.  A  suggested  program  for  this  meeting  is  ar- 
ranged each  year  and  sent  to  each  chapter.  The  love-offering  is 
over  and  above  the  pledge  and  is  given  to  some  special  object 
announced  by  the  department  secretary  of  the  Otterbein  Guild. 

Committees. 

Every  well  organized  chapter  will  have  at  least  four  committees. 
They  are  program,  poster,  membership,  and  finance.  (See  pages 
30-33). 

Standard  of  Excellence. 

A  standard  of  thirteen  points  has  been  set  by  the  Board  for 
chapters.  To  receive  recognition  as  a  standard  society  each  of  the 
thirteen  points  mxist  be  reached  during  the  year.  Copies  of  the 
Standard  may  be  secured  from  the  Literature  Department. 

Reports. 

The  only  means  by  whir-h  the  department  secretary  of  the  Guild 
may  know  what  is  being  done,  or  what  is  not  being  done,  by  the 
chapters,  is  through  the  reports  which  the  officers  send  to  the  branch 
officers  each  quarter.  From  these  reports  the  branch  officers  com- 
pile a  report  which  they  forward  to  the  office  in  Dayton.  From 
these  reports  it  can  be  seen  at  a  glance  what  chapters  have  gained 
new  members,  held  regular  monthly  meetings,  had  a  good  attend- 
ance at  the  meetings,  paid  their  dues,  etc.  On  the  other  hand  these 
reports  show  which  chapters  are  losing  out  and  are  in  need  of 
encouragement.  A  letter  from  headquarters  often  means  much  to 
the  officers  of  the  chapter.  These  reports  are  due  on  or  before  Juno 
20,  September  20,  December  20,  and  March  20,  if  the  chapter  is  to 
receive  credit  on  the  Standard. 

Transfer  of  ME>rBERS. 

Since  the  Guild  is  the  recruiting  agency  for  the  women's  mis- 
sionary society,  and  an  organization  for  girls,  it  is  suggested  that 

49 


at  the  close  of  each  year  all  the  girls  who  have  married  during  the 
year  be  transferred  to  the  women's  society.  These  younger  women 
with  their  training  received  in  the  chapter,  their  new  ways  of  doing 
things,  and  their  enthusias.m  are  needed  to  make  the  local  society 
the  efficient  working  force  it  should  be ;  while  if  they  remain  in  the 
chapter  it  will  only  be  a  matter  of  a  short  time  till  the  chapter  will 
be  made  up  of  young  married  women  and  the  girls  will  be  reluctant 
to  join.  It  is  for  the  future  W.  M.  A.  as  well  as  the  future  Guild 
that  this  suggestion  is  made. 

Any  girl  moving  from  the  church  where  she  is  a  member  of  the 
chapter  should  be  transferred  to  the  chapter  in  the  church  to  which 
she  goes.  If  there  is  no  chapter  at  this  place  she  should  be  counted 
as  an  associate  member  in  the  chapter  from  which  she  has  moved, 
as  long  as  she  keeps  her  dues  paid. 

The  Otterbein  Guild  can  be  made  the  center  of  the  social  life 
of  the  girls  of  the  church.  It  should  and  does  stand  for  the  promo- 
tion of  a  healthy,  wholesome,  social  life.  It  affords  every  girl  an 
opportunity  for  world-wide  service. 

Campaign. 

"Every  woman  and  girl  a  member  of  the  Women's  Missionary 
Association,  and  the  Evangel  in  every  U.  B.  home"  has  been  a 
slogan  in  oiir  work  for  several  years.  In  order  that  this  goal  may 
be  realized  a  well  planned  and  well  conducted  campaign  for  new 
members  and  new  subscribers  is  carried  out  each  fall.  The  time  as 
to  when  it  is  to  be  done  is  left  to  the  local  society,  but  the  month 
of  October  is  found  to  be  the  best  in  most  instances.  At  this 
time  a  canvass  is  made  of  all  the  iinenlisted  girls  in  the  church  and 
a  special  effort  put  forth  in  securing  these  as  new  members.  (See 
Campaign  page  42). 


50 


INDEX. 


General  Constitution,  1. 
Constitution     of     Conference 

Branch,  7. 
Constitution    of    Local    Society, 

10. 
Constitution  of  Otterbein  Guild 

Chapter,  13. 
Board  of  Managers,  2,  3,  17. 

Delegates  to,  45. 
Board  of  Trustees,  3,  18. 
Branch  Organization,  10. 

Contingent  Fund,  10,  3S. 

Delegates  to,  45. 

Executive  Committee,  8,  19. 

Group  Leaders,  42. 

Meetings  of,  10. 

Membership  of,  8. 

Officers  of,  8,  9.  10,  20,  21,  22, 
23. 

Reports,  9,  10. 
Campaign,  42. 
Chapter  of  Otterbein   Guild — 

Membership  in,  14. 

Meetings  of,  16,  33. 

Officers  of,  14,  15,  IG,  24,  25, 
26,  27,  28,  29. 

Patroness,   14,   46. 

Reports,  12,  13. 
Children's  Work,  7. 
Committees — 

Advertisement,  32. 

Campaign,  33. 


Finance,  31. 
Local  Executive,  30. 
Membership  or  Extension,  30. 
Program,  31. 
Day  of  Prayer,  41. 
Evangel,  6,  18. 
Funds,  5,  36. 

Branch  Contingent,  10,  38. 
Dues,  11,  14. 
Free  Literature,  39. 
Local  Contingent,  38. 
Love  Offering,  48,  49. 
Thank  Offering,  28. 
Woman's  Day,  38,  40. 
General  Organization — 
Object,  1. 
Officers,  4. 
Organization,  2. 
Membership,  2. 
Relation  to  Church,  1, 
Goals,  41. 
Group  Leaders,  42. 
Hints  to  Leaders,  35. 
Listitutes,  43. 
Literature  Department,  6,  18. 

Committee,  General,  6. 
Life    Members,    Life    Directors, 

Life  Patrons,  2,  11,  14,  39. 
Local  Society — 

Executive  Committee,  12,  30. 
Meetings  of,  13,  33. 
Members,  11. 


51 


Officers.  11,  12,  13,  24,  25,  26, 
27,  28,  29. 

Reports,  12,  V6. 
Members  at  Large,  44. 
Missionary  Barrels,  46. 
Mission  Fields,  89. 
Mission  Study,  .'JG. 
Motions,  35. 
Order  of  Business,  34. 
Otterbein  Guild  Department,  5, 
18,  47.' 

Campaign,  48, 

Objects  of  Support,  48. 

Reports,  49. 


Special  Days,  48. 

Transfer  of  Members,  49. 
Patroness,'  14,  46. 
Pledge,  87, 
Prayer  Cycle,  41. 
Relation  of  Loral    Society   and 

Chapter,  46,  49. 
Roll  of  Honor,  J."). 
Standard  of  Excellence,  4(),   19. 
Thank  Offering  Department,  6, 

18. 
Wills,  Bequests,  Annuities,  etc., 

47. 
Woman's  Day,  5,  40. 


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BX9878.76.A65 
Consitution  and  handbook 


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